Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said the controversy surrounding the omission and subsequent restoration of its Kano State governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate list has strengthened the party’s popularity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, spokesperson for Gwarzo, said the development had generated public sympathy, attracted additional supporters and increased the party’s visibility across Kano State.
Shuaibu made the remarks on Friday while reacting to INEC’s decision to restore Gwarzo’s name after it was initially excluded from the list of candidates for the forthcoming governorship election.
According to the spokesperson, the party was not alarmed by the initial omission because it remained confident that it had fulfilled all the necessary electoral requirements.
He maintained that the NDC followed the established procedures, including party membership registration, candidate nomination and submission of the required information to the electoral commission.
“We were not frightened because we followed all the laid-down procedures from party membership to the nomination process and submission of our candidate’s details,” Shuaibu said.
NDC Says Controversy Attracted More Supporters
Shuaibu argued that the initial omission, rather than weakening the party, had generated greater public interest in its political activities.
He said the development had helped the NDC gain additional supporters and strengthened its recognition among residents of Kano State.
“What the electoral commission intended as a setback has actually worked in our favour. It has increased our supporters, strengthened our popularity and made more people identify with us,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the party would sustain its mobilisation activities and continue promoting its programmes across the state.
He also expressed confidence that the increased attention surrounding Gwarzo’s candidacy would strengthen the NDC’s position as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Background to Gwarzo’s Omission from INEC’s Candidate List
The controversy began after INEC published its final list of governorship candidates on October 10, 2026, without including Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, under the NDC ticket in Kano State.
The omission raised concerns about the party’s participation in the forthcoming governorship election and prompted its leadership to seek clarification from the electoral commission.
On October 15, the Kano State NDC chairman, Hussaini Isah Mairiga, said the party had escalated the matter to its national leadership, which subsequently engaged INEC over the missing names.
The party expressed optimism that the commission would correct the situation if the omission was found to have resulted from an error. Trust Radio +1
The dispute formed part of wider concerns involving political parties whose candidates were missing from INEC’s published lists following questions surrounding compliance with electoral requirements.
INEC’s Decision and the 2027 Election
Reports published on October 30 indicated that INEC had cleared Gwarzo to contest the 2027 Kano governorship election following its review of complaints concerning omitted candidates.
However, the reported clearance remains subject to the outcome of relevant court proceedings, making the final legal position important to the candidate’s participation.
The development has brought renewed attention to the NDC’s political preparations in Kano, where the party will seek to strengthen its support ahead of the election. Gwarzo +2
What Happens Next?
The NDC says it will continue mobilising voters and communicating its political programmes across Kano State.
For Gwarzo and his supporters, the next important development will be the final resolution of any outstanding legal questions surrounding the governorship ticket.
Although Shuaibu believes the controversy has increased the party’s popularity, its actual impact on voter support will become clearer as the 2027 election approaches.
The development also underscores the importance of transparent candidate nomination and verification processes in maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- THEWILL – INEC’s Attempted Setback Increased Our Popularity, Supporters – Gwarzo.
- Daily Trust – 2027: Pantami, Gwarzo In, Adebutu Out.
- S24 Television – INEC Clears Prof. Pantami, Gwarzo for 2027 Elections.
- Trust Radio – Kano NDC Optimistic as INEC Probes Gwarzo’s Omission.
