Kano Bye-Elections: Kwankwasiyya Defends Decision Not to Field Candidates
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has clarified its stance on the ongoing bye-elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Assembly constituencies, stating that its actions were guided by compassion and respect for the families of the late lawmakers.
In a statement issued on February 21, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, Ph.D, the movement recalled that the two deceased legislators were elected on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and were committed members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement until their passing.
According to the statement, the National Leader of the movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, supported the nomination of the children of the late lawmakers as party flag bearers during the mourning period. The decision, it said, was adopted by the party as a consensus arrangement to honour the sacrifices of the deceased members.
However, the movement noted that following the defection of the Kano State Governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC), new nominations were reportedly made under the APC platform on the eve of the final submission of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The statement alleged that after public backlash, the same individuals earlier nominated under the NNPP were later adopted as APC candidates and subsequently resigned their NNPP membership under political pressure.
Despite the development, the movement said Kwankwaso maintained his earlier position that the children of the deceased lawmakers should be allowed to return to the State Assembly, regardless of the platform they contest under, describing the decision as one rooted in compassion rather than political calculation.
It further stated that the NNPP deliberately refrained from substituting the candidates’ names after their resignation, arguing that the absence of NNPP candidates on the ballot as recognised by INEC affirms the existence of only one legitimate party structure in the state.
The movement urged the public to disregard what it described as attempts to distort the facts for political advantage.
