Aminu Abdullahi Warkal, the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate for the Gwale State House of Assembly seat in Kano State, has sparked controversy after displaying a firearm during a political gathering. The footage of Warkal with the firearm has circulated on social media, raising concerns over the growing presence of weapons around political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. Warkal is associated with the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress is backing the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket for the 2027 election. Warkal's supporters claim the display of the firearm was a response to threats against the opposition and concerns about attempts to manipulate the electoral process. However, there has been no official confirmation that the firearm was lawfully carried for the particular political gathering or that it was displayed in response to a specific threat.
The Kano State Police Command has invited Warkal for questioning over the alleged display of the firearm. The police said the video came to its attention during routine cyber patrol and that the weapon seen in the footage was suspected to be a pump-action rifle. The police are investigating whether the display amounted to an offence under the Firearms Act.
The police warned that political status would not protect anyone found to have violated the law. The Commissioner of Police strongly warned that the Command would not tolerate any act of lawlessness, thuggery, or display of weapons capable of threatening public peace. The police urged politicians, political supporters, and other stakeholders to comply with the Electoral Act, the Firearms Act, and other laws guiding political activities.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remains a major political figure in Kano, with a strong grassroots structure and a large following among young people in the state. Warkal himself has previously been associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement and spoke on behalf of Kwankwasiyya-affiliated youths during an engagement in Kano in January 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed concern over the growing use of inflammatory rhetoric and violence in political activities. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan warned political parties, candidates, and campaign managers against allowing political competition to turn violent. Amupitan said the commission had activated an early-warning system to monitor political violence, thuggery, and dangerous campaign rhetoric.
Amupitan referred directly to the Kano incident, stating that INEC would not stand by and allow political competition to devolve into violence, intimidation, or inflammatory rhetoric. He also disclosed that another person had allegedly threatened members of the electoral commission with AK-47 rifles. Amupitan warned that political parties and candidates linked to violent conduct could face sanctions.
Key points
- The Kano State Police Command has invited Aminu Abdullahi Warkal for questioning over the alleged display of a firearm during a political gathering.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed concern over the growing use of inflammatory rhetoric and violence in political activities.
- The Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate's display of a firearm has sparked concerns over the growing presence of weapons in Nigerian politics.
