The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that 10 political parties will participate in the upcoming Kano State House of Assembly by-elections scheduled for February 21.
Naija News reports that Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Abdu Zango, made the announcement on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kano.
Zango stated that the commission has received nominations from 10 registered parties contesting the polls in Kano Municipal and Ungogo Local Government Areas.
The parties cleared to participate include: All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Good Party, Action Alliance (AA), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
He explained that while nominations were submitted at the state level, candidates’ details are being uploaded by the parties’ national headquarters through INEC’s official online portal.
Zango also revealed that INEC deployed monitors from its national headquarters to oversee party primaries in the affected constituencies and reported that no negative incidents have been submitted so far.
“Our officers were on the ground to monitor the primaries, and up till now, no adverse reports have been received,” he said.
Addressing concerns about internal disputes in some parties, especially the NNPP, the REC stated that INEC has not received any official notification of developments that could affect party leadership recognition or primaries conducted. He emphasized that the commission operates strictly under the law and court orders, adding that no injunctions have been served.
The REC noted that the by-elections will cover two state constituencies—Kano Municipal and Ungogo LGAs—and will involve over 535,000 registered voters across more than 1,000 polling units.
Zango reassured stakeholders of INEC’s commitment to a credible, transparent, and peaceful election, urging political parties and voters to adhere to electoral regulations.