Opposition political parties in Kano State on Saturday stayed away from the by-election in the Ungogo and Kano Municipal constituencies, citing concerns over the credibility of the process.
The African Democratic Congress, New Nigeria Peoples Party and Peoples Democratic Party declined participation in the rerun, alleging irregularities, security fears and procedural arrangements that they claimed favoured the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The exercise was organised to fill the two vacant seats left by the deaths of Aminu Sa’ad Ungogo and Sarki Aliyu Daneji, who were elected on the NNPP platform and died on the same day in December 2025.
Chairman of the ADC in the state, Musa Ungogo, said the party decided to prioritise peace, especially given the Ramadan season.
“We are trying to avoid unnecessary violence in the state. It is the month of Ramadan, and we are trying to avoid anything that could disrupt the peace,” he said.
Ungogo further alleged that the election was structured to the advantage of the APC, stating, “They will manipulate the election and hand it over to the ruling party. We will not be part of such an arrangement.”
He added that with about 13 to 14 months remaining before the 2027 general elections, the ADC would concentrate on broader political strategies rather than engage in what he described as a flawed process.
Similarly, PDP State Chairman, Yusuf Kibiya, criticised the conduct of the rerun, describing it as skewed towards the ruling party. He said the party formally lodged a complaint with the electoral body but received no response, expressing hope that the judiciary would resolve the matter.
The SDP chairman also faulted the arrangements, saying, “It is shameful. The entire structure of the election favours only the ruling party. The Resident Electoral Commissioner sent us a letter on Friday, asking us to conduct a primary election just four days before the poll. That is practically impossible.
“We submitted our complaint to him in a letter, but he ignored it. We have also copied the national office for necessary action. We are going to court, and we are hopeful that justice will be done.”
For its part, the NNPP explained that its decision to abstain was influenced by internal developments. The party’s spokesperson in Kano, Ibrahim Baraya, said the APC candidates were originally nominees of the NNPP before defecting.
“They are the sons of the deceased lawmakers. After their death, the NNPP national leader selected them to replace their fathers. We do not have any problem with them. Even the governor was elected under the platform of the NNPP. We know they were forced to join the APC,” he said.
The Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, attributed the low turnout to the Ramadan period and the perception that the election was not a major contest.
“Two things are responsible for the voter apathy, which include Ramadan and the nature of the election, which people see as not a big one,” he said.
Zango maintained that the poll was peaceful, noting that adequate security deployment prevented any breaches.
Governor Abba Yusuf also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for what he termed a peaceful exercise. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, the governor described the poll as a milestone in Kano’s democratic development.
He praised residents of Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies for their orderly conduct and lauded political parties, particularly the APC, for complying with guidelines.
“For the first time in recent history, we witnessed an election free of crisis, use of weapons and any form of manipulation in Kano. This development aligns with our Kano First Agenda. The era of killing, maiming and disenfranchising voters is over,” Yusuf was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, in Rivers State, candidates of the APC secured victory in the House of Assembly by-elections held in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2.
The Returning Officer, Prof Rosemary Ogbo, declared that Napoleon Ukalikpe and Burabari Loloo won the highest number of valid votes and met all legal requirements.
Providing a breakdown of results for Ahoada East Constituency 2, Ogbo said Ego Marvelous of the Action Alliance polled 33 votes; Ukalikpe of the APC secured 3,980 votes; and Godstime Egor of the Action Party of Nigeria scored 38 votes.
She added that Oseja Clifford of Boot Party garnered 11 votes; Ephraim Raphael Ede of the NNPP polled seven votes; Ogide Samson Greatman of the Young Progressives Party secured seven votes; while Kwodu Saturday Prosper of the Zenith Labour Party received six votes.
“Ukalikpe Napoleon of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” she announced.
In Khana Constituency 2, Loloo recorded 7,647 votes to defeat candidates of the African Alliance, NNPP, Young Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party.
Speaking after her victory, Loloo pledged inclusive representation for her constituents.
Earlier, Ukalikpe, after casting his ballot at Ogbelle Town, Unit 1, Ward 9, in Ahoada East LGA, described the process as orderly and commended security arrangements.
(PUNCH)
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