NDC Lawyers Seek INEC Probe Over Inconsistent Monitoring Reports in Kano

NDC lawyers petition INEC over inconsistent monitoring reports

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Kano State branch of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) filed a formal complaint with the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 19 October 2026. The petition demands an investigation into Mrs. Hauwa Buhari, the Head of Department for Election and Party Monitoring in Kano, after she allegedly issued several monitoring reports on the NDC’s primary elections that were materially inconsistent. The document bears the signatures of Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN; I.M. Abdullahi; Siraj Hamza; and two additional legal professionals. It was issued on the instructions of the NDC Kano State chapter, according to the legal team. Counsel asserts that the documentation includes undated drafts, names persons who did not undergo the party's screening or nomination process, and excludes valid candidates whose details are recorded on Form EC9D, which was endorsed by the party’s national chairman and secretary. The petition also references a public statement issued on 17 October by Bola Aidi, SAN & Co., solicitors for five persons claiming NDC candidature in Kano. Those solicitors described the petition as political intimidation. The NDC lawyers counter that the petition is a legitimate complaint about an objective documentary problem.

Background

The NDC’s legal team says the petition was filed on 16 October, following a public statement by the solicitors for the five prospective candidates. The lawyers argue that the NDC leadership was fully aware of the petition and that claims of ignorance are unsupported by documentary evidence. Mrs. Hauwa Buhari has previously admitted gaps in the monitoring report. A corrected version was reportedly forwarded to INEC headquarters, but the NDC lawyers note that this was done without formal communication or implementation. The lawyers also accuse the five prospective candidates of filing suits at the Federal High Court without notifying authentic candidates, violating fair hearing principles that require all interested parties to be joined at the start of pre‑election matters. The legal representatives emphasize that a monitoring document cannot establish a candidacy when the party's prerequisites for involvement are unfulfilled, nor can it supersede the official filing mandated by section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2026. They argue that Mrs. Buhari, as an officer of a constitutional body, has a duty to defend its staff and records, and that the monitoring report should reflect the true candidates nominated by the party.

Why it matters

The dispute centres on the integrity of the NDC’s primary election process in Kano. If the monitoring reports are indeed inconsistent, it could affect the legitimacy of the party’s nominations and the fairness of the upcoming elections. The petition calls for the withdrawal of all defective versions and the issuance of a single authentic, properly dated report that accurately lists the nominated candidates. The issue also highlights the role of INEC in overseeing party monitoring and the importance of transparent, accurate documentation in pre‑election procedures. The NDC lawyers’ demand for an investigation underscores concerns about potential political intimidation and the need for adherence to fair hearing principles.

What happens next

The petition has been submitted to the INEC chairman, who is now under pressure to investigate the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the reports. The NDC lawyers have requested an immediate investigation, the withdrawal of all defective reports, and the release of a single authentic monitoring report. No further steps or dates have been announced by INEC or the NDC at this time.