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NDC governorship aspirant, others ask court to nullify Kano primaries
Nura Abdullahi
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a governorship aspirant, Mukhtar Muhammad, and four other party members have approached the Federal High Court seeking to nullify the party’s primary elections conducted in Kano State and restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising candidates that emerged from the exercise.
KANO FOCUS reports that the plaintiffs in the suit are Shuaib Abubakar Fagge, Mustapha Salisu Musa (Fanandas), Musa Hudu Yusuf, Mukhtar Muhammad and Mahfuz Yahuza.
In an originating summons filed before the Federal High Court, the plaintiffs challenged the legality of the NDC primaries held on May 28, 2026, alleging widespread violations of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its guidelines for the 2027 general election.
According to the court documents, the plaintiffs alleged that the party unlawfully delegated the sale and distribution of its Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms in Kano State to a single individual, thereby allowing one party member to determine who could obtain nomination forms and participate in the primaries.
They argued that the arrangement violated the provisions of the Electoral Act, the NDC constitution and the party’s election guidelines, insisting that the responsibility for issuing nomination forms could not legally be transferred to an individual or faction within the party.
The plaintiffs further contended that no valid primary election recognised by law was conducted, alleging that there was no proper accreditation of delegates or members, voting, counting or collation of votes as required under the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.
They also claimed they were unlawfully denied nomination forms despite being eligible members of the party, thereby preventing them from contesting the governorship, House of Representatives and Kano State House of Assembly primaries for the Fagge, Tarauni and Gwale constituencies.
The suit seeks declarations that the party breached its constitutional and statutory obligations by denying the plaintiffs equal opportunity to contest and by failing to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs asked the court to nullify all primary elections conducted by the NDC in Kano State on May 28, 2026, including the governorship, House of Representatives and State Assembly primaries.
They also urged the court to set aside the Certificate of Return issued to Aminu Suleiman Goro as the party’s candidate for the Fagge Federal Constituency and restrain him from presenting himself as the party’s flag bearer pending the conduct of fresh primaries.
The plaintiffs further prayed the court to issue perpetual injunctions restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, recognising, publishing or acting on the names of candidates produced through the disputed primaries.
They also asked the court to compel the NDC to conduct fresh primary elections for the affected constituencies in compliance with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its election guidelines.
In addition, the lead plaintiff is seeking a refund of the ₦2 million allegedly paid for his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, as well as ₦200 million in general and exemplary damages for alleged breach of contract and denial of the opportunity to participate in the primaries.
The suit, filed by counsel, Moses Ademola Falana of Nayara Legal Consult, is expected to test the legality of the NDC’s primary election process in Kano and could have significant implications for the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections if the court grants the reliefs sought.
The NDC had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KASSTOWA) has strengthened security at Joda Waterworks to prevent vandalism, theft and unauthorised access to the facility.
KANO FOCUS reports that the agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, following an assessment visit to the waterworks by its interim managing director to evaluate the security situation.
According to the statement, additional security personnel have been deployed to protect the facility and ensure uninterrupted water supply.
The agency said the measure was part of efforts to safeguard critical water infrastructure and protect public assets from potential threats.
It added that the intervention aligned with the commitment of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to protecting government facilities and ensuring the delivery of essential services, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Water Resources.
KASSTOWA also emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening infrastructure protection.
The agency called on community leaders, traditional institutions, youth organisations and residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities and cooperate with security personnel deployed to the facility.
It stressed that protecting water infrastructure was a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation of government agencies and host communities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.
KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.
The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.
Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.
Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.
The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
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