Kwankwasiyya Movement Protests INEC's Exclusion of NDC Governorship Candidate in Kano

On Friday, October 16, 2026, hundreds of supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement gathered at the Kano State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protest the exclusion of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate from the official list of candidates for the upcoming elections. The demonstrators, led by Mustapha Kwankwaso, the deputy governorship candidate, submitted a formal petition on behalf of Comrade Aminu Gwarzo, calling for the reinstatement of the party's candidate.

The protest was fueled by allegations that an INEC official had colluded with unauthorized individuals to facilitate the substitution of some candidates from the Kwankwasiyya Movement. The protesters expressed their concerns over what they described as irregularities in the electoral process, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.

Upon receiving the protesters, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kano, Abdu Zango, acknowledged their grievances and assured them that their petition would be forwarded to INEC's national headquarters for further consideration. He emphasized that the commission had already provided reasons for the omission of certain candidates and had set a deadline of October 24, 2026, for affected political parties to challenge these decisions.

Zango commended the protesters for their peaceful approach, stating, "This is the most orderly way of presenting such complaints rather than resorting to violence." He reiterated INEC's commitment to neutrality in the electoral process and encouraged eligible voters in Kano to continue collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that the collection process would soon be extended to local Registration Areas for greater accessibility.

Dr. Habib Mohammed, spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, articulated the dual purpose of the protest: to secure the reinstatement of the NDC candidates and to highlight the alleged misconduct of an INEC staff member. Mohammed claimed that the official had worked with unauthorized individuals to conceal decisions that led to the substitution of candidates. He further alleged that multiple letters bearing suspected forged signatures had been submitted to INEC, resulting in the replacement of some candidates from their movement.

The spokesperson urged INEC to investigate these allegations thoroughly and to clarify the circumstances surrounding the purported substitutions. He warned that if their concerns were not adequately addressed, the Kwankwasiyya Movement would consider taking further action.

Despite the tensions surrounding the protest, the atmosphere remained largely peaceful, with demonstrators expressing their frustrations through organized chants and placards. The event underscored the ongoing challenges faced by political parties in Nigeria as they navigate the complexities of the electoral process.

As the deadline for appeals approaches, the Kwankwasiyya Movement remains vigilant, hopeful that their petition will prompt a review of the decisions made by INEC and restore their candidates to the electoral race. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for the political landscape in Kano as the state gears up for the upcoming elections.