The All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) are testing their electoral strength in Saturday’s by-election for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State. The election fills the vacancy left by Hassan Danjuma, who represented the constituency until his death in April. Danjuma, a first-time legislator elected in 2023 under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), had defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Three Candidates Cleared for By-Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano confirmed that only three candidates are cleared for the poll: Rabiu Shuaibu of the APC, Abubakar Muhammad of the LP, and Lawan Haruna of the APM. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) opted out of the contest, as explained by its Kano State chairperson, Usaini Mairiga. “Bye-elections are rarely won by opposition parties due to intimidation and maneuvers by the ruling party,” Mairiga told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that the NDC is preserving its political energy for the 2027 general elections. He confirmed that the party is focusing on fielding Mustapha Bala for the same constituency in 2027.
High Voter Turnout and Security Measures
PREMIUM TIMES observed high voter turnout at polling units in the Dawakiji ward of Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area (LGA) and the Danlasan ward of Warawa LGA. To ensure security, the police announced a total restriction of vehicular and pedestrian movement in the affected LGAs from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, as part of measures designed by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). In a statement by state command spokesperson Abdullahi Kiyawa, only INEC officials, accredited election observers, journalists, and essential duty personnel are exempted from the lockdown.
Security Deployment and Zero Tolerance for Malpractice
The police stated that the joint security architecture had been activated, with armed personnel from the police and sister agencies deployed to polling units, collation centers, and INEC offices across the affected areas. “We have put adequate measures in place to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials, and sensitive materials,” the police assured, noting that intelligence sharing among security agencies is at its peak to enable rapid responses to emergencies. The command declared zero tolerance for electoral violence, vote buying or selling, ballot box snatching, and voter intimidation. “Anyone found engaging in malpractice will be promptly arrested and prosecuted under the Electoral Act 2022,” the statement read.
Restrictions and Public Appeal
The police reminded the public that political campaigns, canvassing for votes, and displaying party paraphernalia are prohibited within 300 meters of a polling unit. While assuring residents that the security situation in Kano remains calm and stable, police urged voters to turn out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear. They appealed to political parties, candidates, and supporters to abide by the rules. Members of the public are urged to report suspicious activities or breaches of peace to the nearest police station or via emergency hotlines: 0803 241 9754, 0812 382 1575, and 0902 929 2926.
