Kano NDC threatens court action over exclusion of governorship candidate

Kano NDC threatens legal action

The Kano State branch of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) stated on 26 October 2026 that it is evaluating the option of legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the exclusion of its gubernatorial aspirant, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the roster for the 2027 polls. The party’s state chairman, Husseini Mairiga, said the exclusion was unlawful and that the NDC had not received any response from INEC following the expiry of the October 24 deadline for complaints. Mairiga told a telephone interview that he would visit Abuja on Monday to seek an update on the status of the complaint and to determine the next step. He added that if INEC failed to provide an update, the party would take the matter to court. The NDC maintains that Gwarzo is a duly registered party member and was qualified to contest.

Petition by five NDC candidates

Through a distinct complaint sent to the head of INEC by way of the local electoral commissioner in Kano, five party members – Abdulmajid Isah Umar representing Gwale, Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada for Kano Municipal, and Barr. Ismaeel Idris Sani of Kumbotso, Hon. Ibrahim Bashiru Bango from Sumaila/Takai, and Hon. Nasir Alli Ahmed of Nasarawa – requested that the electoral body honor prior judicial rulings which validated their eligibility to contest in the 2027 elections. The petition was signed by counsel Bola Aidi, SAN. The candidates claimed they had completed all nomination procedures, including obtaining nomination forms, undergoing screening and clearance, and participating in the party’s primary election processes. They cited a Federal High Court case (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1628/2026) in which an interim order directed INEC to upload the names of the affected candidates. The court had delivered judgments on 14 October 2026 affirming the candidacy of two of the five petitioners.

Concerns over political pressure

The petition also called on INEC to protect its officials from political pressure and to handle disputes over the party’s primaries in accordance with the law. It accused some officials of the Kano NDC chapter of using protests, petitions and media campaigns to undermine the candidacies of those who lost in the party’s nomination process. The counsel warned that protests in Kano and Abuja following the court decisions could pressure judicial officers handling remaining cases and that any unlawful conduct or intimidation accompanying such activities should be avoided.

Why it matters

The dispute centres on the composition of the 2027 Kano governorship ballot. If INEC does not recognise Gwarzo and the other five candidates, the NDC will lack representation in the election, potentially affecting the party’s influence in the state. The legal challenge could delay the finalisation of the candidate list and may lead to court intervention. The petition also highlights concerns about political interference in electoral processes, which could impact the credibility of the upcoming elections.

What happens next

The NDC has not yet received a response from INEC. Chairman Mairiga plans to visit Abuja to obtain an update and will decide whether to proceed with legal action if no response is received. The five petitioners have asked INEC to comply with the Federal High Court judgments, and the court has already affirmed the candidacy of two of them. No further dates or decisions have been announced.