Politics
Kwankwasiyya Supporters Protest in Kano Over Omission of NDC Governorship Candidate from INEC List
Kwankwasiyya Movement supporters have petitioned INEC in Kano over the omission of Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo from the 2027 candidate list, while demanding an investigation into alleged irregularities.
Hundreds of supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement on Friday protested at the Kano State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Aminu Gwarzo, from the commission’s list of candidates.
The protesters, led by the movement’s deputy governorship candidate, Mustapha Kwankwaso, submitted a petition demanding the reinstatement of Gwarzo and calling for an investigation into alleged irregularities involving the substitution of some candidates.
Receiving the delegation at INEC’s Kano office, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, acknowledged the complaint and said the petition would be forwarded to the commission’s national headquarters for consideration.
Zango said INEC had provided reasons for the omission of some candidates and established an appeal window for affected political parties, which was scheduled to close on October 24, 2026.
“Basically, what they came to do is to present a complaint about the omission of their candidates. INEC has made the point very clear, the reason for the omission and the fact that there is a window of appeal that has been provided up to the 24th of October,” he said.
The commissioner commended the protesters for presenting their grievances peacefully, describing a formal petition as an orderly way to raise concerns.
He also assured the delegation that its complaints would receive attention and that the petition would be sent to the national headquarters.
Speaking to journalists, the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s spokesperson, Dr Habib Mohammed, said the protest was intended to secure the reinstatement of the affected NDC candidates and draw attention to alleged irregularities in the candidate-substitution process.
Mohammed alleged that an INEC staff member had colluded with unauthorised individuals to conceal a decision that led to the substitution of some candidates. He also claimed that letters bearing suspected forged signatures had been submitted to the commission.
He called on INEC to investigate the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported substitutions.
Mohammed warned that the movement could consider further action if its concerns were not adequately addressed, while acknowledging the commissioner’s assurance that the petition would be forwarded to the national headquarters.
The allegations against the INEC staff member have not been independently established in the information provided. INEC’s response to the specific claims of collusion and forged signatures was not included in the account.