Kano protesters demand INEC reinstate excluded candidate as Mustapha Kwankso leads peaceful march.
Supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement staged a peaceful protest in Kano on Friday. The demonstration erupted over the alleged omission of their governorship candidate from the official list released by the electoral commission.
Led by deputy governorship candidate Mustapha Kwankwaso, the group marched directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission state office. There, they formally submitted a petition demanding the immediate reinstatement of their candidate, according to information published by punchng.
Mustapha Kwankwaso stated that they had fulfilled all rules and regulations required for nomination. Addressing the crowd, Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner Abdu Zango confirmed receipt of the complaints and assured the delegation that the petition will reach the national headquarters.
Kwankwasiyya Movement Submits Petition To INEC
The protest drew significant attention as demonstrators voiced strong opposition to the sudden exclusion. Mustapha Kwankwaso described the removal as completely unjust after all necessary guidelines were met during the nomination process.
During the gathering at the Kano office, Abdu Zango noted that the commission had recorded the specific reasons for the omission. He reminded the public that a legal window for appeal remains open until October 24 for resolution.
Allegations Of Staff Collusion And Forgery
Beyond the candidate omission, the Kwankwasiyya Movement raised serious internal concerns. Spokesperson Dr. Habib Mohammed revealed that their petition includes formal allegations against a specific INEC staff member.
Mohammed alleged that an authorized officer colluded with unauthorized individuals to hide decisions and substitute candidates. He claimed multiple letters containing suspected forged signatures were submitted to the national headquarters in Abuja.
INEC Appeals Process And Voter Card Collection
Addressing the protesters, Abdu Zango praised the group for maintaining a peaceful and orderly approach instead of resorting to violence. He confirmed that the Kano office remains entirely neutral regarding all political parties.
Zango also provided updates on the ongoing Permanent Voter Card collection, which began on October 9. He expressed satisfaction with the current turnout and assured citizens that collection points will soon extend to Registration Areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kwankwasiyya supporters protest in Kano?
Supporters protested over the alleged omission of their governorship candidate from the official list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Who led the Kwankwasiyya Movement protest in Kano?
The protest was led by Mustapha Kwankwaso, the deputy governorship candidate, representing candidate Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
What did INEC say about the candidate omission?
Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner Abdu Zango stated that the commission noted the reasons for the omission and confirmed an appeal window is open until October 24.
What additional allegations were made against INEC?
Spokesperson Dr. Habib Mohammed alleged that an INEC staff member colluded with unauthorized individuals to submit letters with suspected forged signatures, leading to candidate substitutions.
