Hundreds of supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement on Friday stormed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Kano to protest the omission of the National Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the commission's list of candidates for the 2027 general elections. Punch and Channels Television reported the protest.
Why are the supporters protesting?
The movement says the omission of Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Rabi'u Kwankwaso, from the final list released by the commission is unacceptable and must be corrected. The protesters submitted a petition at the commission's Kano office demanding that the candidates be restored to the ballot.
What has the movement asked for?
Beyond the protest, the Kwankwasiyya Movement has urged the Nigeria Democratic Congress to pursue available legal remedies over the omission, Leadership reported. That points toward litigation at the courts if the commission does not reverse its position, a route candidates and parties have used in previous cycles when nomination disputes were not resolved administratively.
What is at stake for the 2027 race in Kano?
Kano is the biggest prize in northern politics, and the governorship contest there will draw national attention. The NDC entered the race with the backing of the Kwankwasiyya structure built around Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and a candidate off the ballot would remove a major contender from the February 2027 election. How the commission handles the petition will be watched closely across party lines.
What happens next?
The commission is expected to respond to the petition, and the parties may head to court if the omission stands. The protest also raises fresh questions about the final-list process for the 2027 elections, weeks after the commission published its timetable with the presidential poll fixed for January 16, 2027.
The nominations side of the election build-up is moving fast too. President Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm six new electoral commissioners for INEC, a story we reported here.
Frequently asked questions
Who was omitted from the INEC list?
Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the National Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano, and his running mate, Mustapha Rabi'u Kwankwaso.
When did the protest happen?
On Friday, when hundreds of Kwankwasiyya supporters stormed the INEC office in Kano and submitted a petition.
What options does the NDC have?
The movement has urged the party to pursue legal remedies, which could take the dispute to the courts if the commission does not restore the candidates.
Sources: Punch; Channels Television; Leadership; THISDAY; New Telegraph.
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