NDC drags INEC to court over exclusion of Kano governorship candidate

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the exclusion of its Kano State governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the list of contestants published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raising fresh questions about the party’s participation in the forthcoming governorship election.

The party is seeking an order compelling INEC to restore Gwarzo’s name to the list, insisting that its candidate has fulfilled all the requirements for participation in the electoral contest.

Yusuf Kofarmata, an NDC chieftain in the Kwankwasiyya movement, disclosed the filing of the suit, urging party supporters not to lose hope but to remain committed to the campaign while awaiting the court’s decision.

Kofarmata expressed optimism that the court would deliver a favourable judgment that would enable Gwarzo to participate in the governorship race, despite his omission from the commission’s published list of candidates.

The legal action comes amid growing political uncertainty surrounding the NDC’s participation in Kano State’s governorship contest, with the party seeking judicial intervention to resolve the dispute over its candidate’s eligibility and inclusion on the ballot.

For the NDC, the case represents an effort to protect its electoral interests and ensure that its chosen candidate is not shut out of the contest before voters have the opportunity to decide among the aspirants.

The dispute also highlights the importance of compliance with electoral procedures and the role of the courts in resolving disagreements involving political parties and the electoral commission. Where a party believes that its candidate has met the stipulated requirements but has been omitted from the official list, judicial intervention may provide a means of seeking clarification and redress.

Gwarzo’s omission is particularly significant given the political competition in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states, where governorship contests often attract considerable attention because of the state’s large voting population and its strategic importance in national politics.

The NDC’s court action could therefore become an important test of the party’s ability to sustain its governorship campaign while seeking legal clarification over its candidate’s status.

However, details of the suit, including the specific grounds on which the party is challenging INEC’s action, the reliefs sought beyond the request for reinstatement, and the date fixed for hearing, were not provided in the available information.

INEC’s explanation for excluding Gwarzo from the published list was also not contained in the statement announcing the legal action. The commission’s position, as well as the court’s eventual determination, will be important in establishing the circumstances surrounding the omission.

Meanwhile, Kofarmata has urged supporters to maintain their confidence in the party’s legal strategy and continue with their political activities as the case proceeds.

The NDC is hoping that a favourable ruling will secure Gwarzo’s inclusion on the list and allow him to pursue his governorship ambition. Until the court determines the matter, however, the question of his participation remains a subject of legal contest.