We have no issue with Kano NDC candidate, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared the air over the status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, stating that the commission has no objection to his candidacy for the 2027 general elections.

INEC explained that Gwarzo and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, were omitted from the updated candidate list due to a Federal High Court ex parte order issued in Kano on October 27.

The order temporarily restrained the commission from downloading or publishing the names of any NDC candidates.

A senior official of the commission restates that the electoral body is committed to the rule of law. According to him, Gwarzo had already been cleared before the legal restriction was enforced.

“I thought I told you he had been cleared, subject only to the final outcome of an ex parte order by a Federal High Court in Kano on October 27 that we should not download the name of any candidate for NDC. In other words, we have no issue with him”.

This clarification comes after the release of the updated list of INEC governorship and deputy governorship candidates on Saturday. The commission distinctly indicated “Court Order” against the NDC’s slots for Kano State to accurately reflect the ongoing legal proceedings.

Prior to the weekend update, INEC reviewed several petitions arising from the omission of candidates on its initial list published on October 10.

Following its review on Thursday, the commission upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others across various states.

Notable among the cleared candidates on the updated list is the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, who has now been officially included as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Gombe State.

The commission revealed that actions regarding the publication of the NDC candidates in Kano will be base on the final determination of the court proceedings.