The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State has attributed the omission of its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a computer error. According to the party's Public Relations Officer, Yusif Fasaha, INEC assured them that the issue would be rectified. Gwarzo, a former deputy governor of Kano State and ally of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had fulfilled all requirements for the election.
Fasaha, in a statement, urged party members to remain calm while consultations continued over the development. He stated that INEC would release a revised list containing Gwarzo's name by Monday. The party spokesman maintained that Gwarzo had completed all necessary processes within the stipulated period. The NDC expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved following its engagement with INEC.
Gwarzo's absence from INEC's final list had raised questions about the status of the NDC's governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election. The list, observed by NAN, contained 17 governorship candidates and their running mates from different political parties. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was listed as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside his running mate, Murtala Sule-Garo.
Other parties represented on the list included the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), New Democratic Party (NDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), and Action Democratic Party (ADP).
The NDC's engagement with INEC was aimed at resolving the issue of Gwarzo's omission from the list. The party's confidence in resolving the matter was boosted by INEC's assurance that the error would be corrected. Gwarzo's candidacy is significant, given his affiliation with former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who leads the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
The incident highlights the importance of accurate data processing in electoral preparations. INEC's prompt response to the issue and assurance of rectification demonstrate its commitment to ensuring a smooth electoral process. The commission's action is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that all eligible candidates are given a fair chance to participate.
The Kano State chapter of the NDC will continue to monitor the situation and engage with INEC to ensure that Gwarzo's name is included in the revised list. The party's members have been urged to remain calm and vigilant, as the situation unfolds. The development is a significant test of INEC's ability to manage electoral processes and maintain the trust of political parties and their candidates.
Key points
- * The Nigeria Democratic Congress attributes the omission of its governorship candidate's name from INEC's final list to a computer error. * INEC has assured the party that the issue will be rectified, and a revised list containing Gwarzo's name will be released by Monday. * The incident highlights the importance of accurate data processing in electoral preparations and INEC's commitment to ensuring a smooth electoral process.
