Governor Yusuf Behind Gwarzo’s Ordeal–Kwankwaso

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf of plotting to disqualify the party’s governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a press briefing in Kano yesterday, Kwankwaso alleged that the governor initially sought to use the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the NDC candidate from the ballot but later resorted to the courts when that move failed.

According to him, Governor Yusuf had realised that he had made a political mistake and had since been making frantic efforts to prevent the NDC from participating in the governorship election.

“What he wanted was for INEC to declare that there was no governorship candidate in Kano. When that did not happen, they went to court seeking the disqualification of our candidate,” Kwankwaso said.

The former Kano governor alleged that associates of the governor had secretly instituted legal action against the party and INEC in a bid to secure a court order without attracting public attention.

He claimed that the case was structured in such a way that the affected candidate would not become aware of the proceedings until after judgment had been delivered.

Kwankwaso, however, insisted that the NDC candidate had no constitutional or legal impediment that could warrant his disqualification.

“Our candidate has no issues relating to age, educational qualifications or any other constitutional requirements. There is nothing that should stop him from contesting the election,” he said.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further accused the governor and his allies of attempting to avoid electoral competition rather than face the party at the polls.

“They do not want to contest against us. They believe that once they occupy government offices, they can do whatever they want. But Kano voters will decide,” he said.

Recalling previous political developments in the state, Kwankwaso said a court ruling had once removed a candidate before he was subsequently reinstated ahead of an election that his party eventually won.

He expressed confidence that the electorate would reject what he described as attempts to undermine democratic choice in the state.

Kwankwaso also urged supporters, particularly young people, to verify their voter registration status and remain politically active.

He maintained that the NDC would participate in the election and defeat its opponents at the polls.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from Governor Yusuf to the allegations were unsuccessful, as calls made to the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, were neither answered nor returned as of the time of filing this report.

2027: Gwarzo Accuses Kano Govt, APC Of Plot To Keep Him Off Ballot

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, has accused the Kano State Government and individuals allegedly linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to prevent him from participating in the 2027 governorship election.

Gwarzo, a former Deputy Governor of Kano State, made the allegation during an interview on Daily Politics, where he broke his silence about his exclusion, along with his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) published list of governorship candidates.

He alleged that the move was politically motivated and intended to frustrate the NDC’s participation in the forthcoming election.

The controversy followed INEC’s publication of the initial list of governorship candidates on 10 October 2026, which did not include the names of Gwarzo and his running mate.

Although the NDC initially attributed the omission to a possible computer error, Gwarzo said subsequent developments, particularly a court order restraining INEC from publishing their names, had raised suspicions of political interference.

He insisted that he had fulfilled all the requirements for his nomination, explaining that he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate through a consensus arrangement without any opposing aspirant.

“We are in total and full compliance with all the requirements of INEC and all the requirements of our party. I contested as the sole candidate, and I was elected by consensus. We never had any other person contesting against me,” he said.

Gwarzo explained that the party initially expected INEC to correct the omission but eventually wrote to the commission seeking clarification after his name and that of his running mate remained missing.

According to him, the situation took a different turn when the party learnt that some individuals had approached the Federal High Court in Kano and obtained an ex parte order restraining INEC from publishing their names.

He alleged that the proceedings were initiated without his knowledge or involvement.

“On October 10, INEC released the names. We wrote to INEC to ask why our names were not published, but we received no response. On October 17, we learnt that some people went before the Federal High Court and sought an ex parte order,” he stated.

He further claimed that INEC subsequently clarified that it had no objection to his candidacy based on the commission’s requirements, but that the subsisting court order was preventing the publication of his name.

Media reports on INEC’s position indicated that Gwarzo’s petition over his omission had succeeded, but his inclusion remained subject to the final determination of the court order issued in Kano.

The commission’s updated list also retained the notation “COURT ORDER” against the NDC’s governorship and deputy governorship positions in the state.

Asked why he suspected the Kano State Government and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, rather than holding INEC solely responsible, Gwarzo said his suspicions stemmed from the identities and political affiliations of individuals allegedly involved in the legal action.

He specifically referred to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and an APC official, whom he accused of being behind the move.

“We strongly suspect that there is some under-the-table dealing between INEC and some vested interests, and we believe the state government is fully involved and behind this whole issue,” he alleged.

However, the allegations against the state government, the APC and the individuals mentioned were not independently established during the interview.

Explaining the party’s legal response, Gwarzo disclosed that the NDC had instructed its lawyers to seek to join the proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kano.

He said the party was initially unaware of the case until its national legal adviser obtained the relevant court documents and brought the development to its attention.

According to him, the party decided to seek joinder because the outcome of the proceedings would directly affect its candidate and its participation in the election.

He also confirmed that he and the NDC had instituted a separate suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to publish their names.

He said the two legal actions were expected to proceed concurrently.

Gwarzo also questioned the standing of the plaintiffs in the Kano case, alleging that they had failed to demonstrate that they were genuine members of the NDC or had taken the necessary steps to participate in the party’s governorship primary.

He maintained that anyone seeking to contest a party primary must obtain nomination forms, formally express an intention to participate and undergo the required screening.

According to him, the individuals challenging his emergence did not participate in those processes.

Despite the legal challenge, Gwarzo expressed confidence that he would eventually appear on the 2027 ballot.

He alleged that the APC and the state government were apprehensive about the NDC’s political prospects in Kano and were seeking to prevent the party from participating in the election.

“The courts are there, and justice will be done. We have fulfilled all the necessary requirements, and we are going into this election. God willing, nobody can stop us,” he declared.

Responding to questions about his political experience and capacity to challenge the incumbent governor, Gwarzo said his involvement in Kano politics dated back to 1996, long before his emergence as deputy governor.

He recalled contesting for the chairmanship of Gwarzo Local Government under a non-party electoral arrangement during the military administration of General Sani Abacha.

He said he subsequently joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 and contested for the same position, claiming that he won convincingly.

Gwarzo also highlighted his previous positions as chairman of Gwarzo Local Government, commissioner in Kano State and member of the National Assembly Service Commission.

He described himself as a political disciple of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, whose political philosophy, he said, had shaped his career.

The NDC governorship candidate also defended the proposed political alliance involving former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Asked whether Kwankwaso’s decision to accept a vice-presidential position after contesting the presidency in 2023 could disappoint his supporters in Kano, Gwarzo said the decision reflected political maturity and a commitment to national unity.

He argued that Nigeria’s political realities and the need to address national divisions made compromise necessary.

Describing the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso partnership as a “healing ticket”, Gwarzo said the alliance would provide an opportunity to address the country’s economic, political and security challenges.

He expressed confidence in Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State and Kwankwaso’s performance during his administration in Kano.

Gwarzo also defended his choice of Mustapha Kwankwaso, son of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate in the Kano governorship election.

The interviewer questioned whether the decision could raise concerns about political family influence and undermine opportunities for other qualified party members.

Gwarzo dismissed the concerns, describing Mustapha as qualified, experienced and politically active.

He said his running mate was 43 years old, had served as a member of the Kano State cabinet and had business interests across the country.

According to him, being the son of a prominent politician should not automatically disqualify anyone from seeking elective office.

He further maintained that Mustapha had demonstrated commitment to the party and possessed the capacity to contribute to the development of Kano State.

When the interviewer raised suggestions that Kwankwaso’s political calculations might be influenced by ambitions for 2031, Gwarzo dismissed the claims as speculation.

“Does that make sense? It doesn’t make sense to sacrifice his son. He has agreed to serve as the vice-presidential candidate to Peter Obi and has been going around the country, working very hard,” he said.

On what would distinguish his candidacy in the 2027 election, Gwarzo said his political strength would come from his commitment to the expectations of Kano residents.

He maintained that his decision not to defect to the APC alongside Governor Yusuf demonstrated his loyalty to his supporters’ political convictions.

According to him, the people of Kano had made their position on the APC clear, insisting that their political choices should be respected.

“What will make us accepted by the people of the state is that we remain true to our commitment to them. We have never betrayed the trust the people reposed in us,” he said.

He added that his political experience, grassroots connections, and commitment to his supporters would remain central to his ambition for the governorship.