Kano Primary Plunges into Chaos: INEC Official Accused Amidst Protests!
The Kwankwasiyya Movement protested in Kano demanding the reinstatement of the NDC governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, after his name was omitted from the INEC list. This protest is set against a backdrop of broader allegations by the NDC, accusing an INEC official of issuing conflicting reports on its governorship primary, leading to candidate misrepresentation and potential legal disputes. INEC acknowledges the petition and promises investigation, while also noting an ongoing PVC collection exercise.The Kwankwasiyya Movement recently staged a peaceful protest in Kano, demanding the reinstatement of Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, whose name was notably absent from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list. Led by Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party's Deputy Governorship Candidate, supporters marched to INEC’s state office to submit a petition, asserting that the party had fully complied with all candidate nomination regulations and describing the exclusion as unjust.
In response, Abdu Zango, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, acknowledged the petition, explaining that the omission stemmed from previously communicated reasons. He assured the delegation of an appeal window extending until October 24 and affirmed the commission's neutrality, praising the protesters' orderly conduct. Zango committed to forwarding the petition to INEC's national headquarters for consideration.
Beyond the initial omission, the Kwankwasiyya Movement further alleged serious irregularities, including forgery and collusion by an INEC staff member. According to Dr. Habib Mohammed, the group's spokesperson, unauthorized letters bearing suspected forged signatures were submitted to INEC headquarters, leading to the substitution of certain candidates. Dr. Mohammed urged the commission to thoroughly investigate the implicated officer.
Adding to the controversy, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State has formally accused an official within INEC's Kano office of issuing multiple, conflicting reports regarding its governorship primary. In a petition dated October 16, 2026, the NDC, through Tahir Chambers, alerted the INEC chairman to the alleged conduct of Hauwa Buhari Buhari, Head of the Department of Election and Party Monitoring. The party claimed that several versions of a report on its Kano State primary, all signed by Buhari, contained materially inconsistent information.
These reports, the NDC contended, erroneously listed individuals who were neither party candidates nor primary participants, while simultaneously excluding the party’s duly nominated candidates. The party also alleged that these discrepant documents were being circulated and relied upon in various court proceedings against the NDC. A significant omission highlighted in the petition was the failure of these reports to specify the date of the Kano State primary election. The allegations could not be independently verified, and neither INEC nor the named official had publicly responded to the petition at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, Zango also provided an update on the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise, which commenced on October 9. He expressed satisfaction with the turnout and indicated plans to extend collection points to Registration Areas to improve accessibility for voters.