Aminu Gwarzo Accuses Kano State Government of Political Interference Over INEC List Omission
Appearing on News Night, the governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, accused the Kano State Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating electoral processes to exclude him and his running mate, Rabiu Mustafa, from the updated candidate list for the 2027 general elections.
Gwarzo's statement aligns with concerns expressed by Kwankwasiyya movement leader and NDC vice presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who alleged that the state government is using both judicial channels and electoral officials to block opposition candidates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) responded by clarifying that Gwarzo met all statutory candidate requirements, but his name was omitted following an ex-parte order issued by a Federal High Court in Kano on October 27.
Challenging the timing, Gwarzo questioned why their names were missing from INEC’s preliminary release on October 10—weeks before the court order was issued. He confirmed that the NDC legal team is joining the suit as an interested party to vacate the interim order and secure their place on the ballot.
"There seems to be some under-the-table understanding between INEC and some vested interests. We are going to court to join as interested parties and challenge this ex-parte order so our rights are guaranteed." — Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, Kano NDC Governorship Candidate
Deep-Dive Analysis
Key Arguments and Legal Developments
The broadcast examined legal maneuvers, political accusations, and INEC's administrative position regarding the Kano State governorship race:
- Allegations of Political Exclusion: Leaders of the Kwankwasiyya movement claim the incumbent Kano State administration is actively seeking to avoid contesting against a Kwankwasiyya-backed ticket in 2027. Gwarzo stated that an investigation by his campaign identified senior APC legal advisors behind the initial petition that led to the court order.
- Timeline of Judicial and INEC Actions:
- October 10: INEC released its initial governorship candidate list, omitting Gwarzo and Mustafa without providing a published reason.
- October 17: A petition was formally filed in the Federal High Court in Kano.
- October 27: The court granted an ex-parte interim injunction restraining INEC from publishing the NDC governorship ticket.
- October 29: INEC published its updated candidate list featuring an official remark citing a court order against the NDC positions.
- INEC’s Statutory Position: Senior officials of the electoral body affirmed that Gwarzo satisfied all party primary and compliance documentation. The commission maintained that it is legally bound to comply with active court orders until they are set aside by a higher jurisdiction.
- NDC Legal Strategy: Gwarzo confirmed that because neither he nor his running mate were named as primary defendants in the initial suit, their legal counsel filed a formal motion to be joined as interested parties to challenge the interim order.
Key Electoral & Legal Timeline
Date | Event / Action | Institutional / Candidate Response |
May 29, 2026 | Kwankwaso unveils Aminu Gwarzo as Kano NDC Governorship Candidate. | Consensus nomination accepted by party stakeholders. |
October 10, 2026 | Initial INEC candidates' list published. | NDC candidate names omitted without initial official explanation. |
October 27, 2026 | Federal High Court Kano issues ex-parteinterim injunction. | Restrains INEC from publishing NDC Kano governorship and deputy names. |
October 29, 2026 | Updated INEC list published with "Court Order" remark. | INEC clarifies omission is strictly due to judicial directive, not non-compliance. |
Upcoming Plenary | NDC files to join suit as interested party. | Legal team seeks to vacate ex-parte order and compel final candidate inclusion. |
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