The two major political parties in Kano State, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), recorded victories in different constituencies during Saturday’s state assembly by-elections.
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In Bagwai/Shanono constituency, Dr. Ali Hassan Kiyawa of the NNPP emerged winner with 16,198 votes, defeating APC’s Ahmad Muhammad Kadamu who polled 5,347 votes. The result was declared at 12:36 a.m. on Sunday by the Returning Officer, Professor Hassan Adamu Shitu.
Meanwhile, in Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency, the APC reclaimed ground as its candidate, Garba Ya’u Gwarmai, secured 31,472 votes to edge out NNPP’s Yusuf Ali Maigado who garnered 27,931 votes. The Returning Officer, Professor Muhammad Waziri of Bayero University, announced the outcome.
The elections were conducted to fill vacant seats following the death of former APC lawmaker, Halilu Ibrahim Kundila, in April 2024. The exercise was marred by allegations of violence and disruptions, with the APC demanding cancellation of the process. However, the NNPP dismissed the allegations, insisting that the polls were free, fair and credible.
During the elections, the Kano State Police Command announced the arrest of 288 suspected political thugs across the two constituencies. Police said weapons including guns, cutlasses, bows, arrows, and clubs were recovered, and investigations are underway to identify their sponsors. The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, warned against electoral violence and assured residents of the Command’s neutrality and commitment to credible polls.
