KANO, NIGERIA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State has voiced its expectation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will reinstate its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and his running mate to the official list of candidates for the forthcoming 2027 election. This follows their unexpected omission from the commission's initial publication.
Party Escalates Omission Issue to National Level
Hussaini Isah Mai Riga, the chairman of the NDC in Kano, confirmed that the party has formally escalated the matter to its national secretariat. The national body, in turn, has engaged directly with INEC to address the oversight. According to Mai Riga, the electoral commission has assured the party that it will investigate the omission, with a promise to restore the candidates' status if the exclusion is confirmed to be an error.
"We have written to our National Secretariat and they have escalated it also to INEC. INEC said it will investigate that if it's a mistake, of course, it will restore our candidates’ status. So we are now waiting for their response," stated Mai Riga, expressing the party's anticipation of a favourable resolution.
The omission of Gwarzo and his deputy from INEC’s final list of Kano governorship candidates has naturally triggered considerable concern within the NDC regarding its full participation in the 2027 governorship election. The party views this development as a critical issue that could impede its democratic rights and representation.
Awaiting INEC's Clarification and Future Steps
Currently, the NDC is placing its reliance on INEC’s internal investigation to clarify the official status of its candidates. The party’s leadership is keenly awaiting the commission’s formal response before deciding on any further actions or steps that may be necessary to ensure their candidates' inclusion. This situation underscores the delicate balance between administrative processes and political participation in Nigeria's electoral landscape. The outcome of INEC's investigation will be crucial in determining the NDC's full involvement in the upcoming political contest in Kano State.