Ibrahim Khalil

The legal counsel to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Kano State Chapter, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate alleged inconsistencies in monitoring reports on the party’s primary elections in the state.

KANO FOCUS reports that the lawyers also defended a petition submitted to INEC on Friday, concerning the conduct of Mrs Hauwa Buhari, Head of the Department of Election and Party Monitoring at the commission’s Kano office.

In a statement issued on Friday, the legal team, Magaji Mato Ibrahim SAN & Co., said the petition followed the alleged issuance of multiple versions of a monitoring report containing materially inconsistent information about the party’s primary elections.

The statement was issued in response to an earlier statement by Bola Aidi, SAN & Co., solicitors to five persons claiming candidacy under the NDC in Kano State.

According to the legal team, some versions of the disputed reports were undated and allegedly listed individuals who were neither screened nor cleared by the party, while excluding candidates whose names appeared on Form EC9D signed by the NDC National Chairman and National Secretary.

The lawyers further alleged that the INEC official had previously acknowledged gaps in the report and that a corrected version was forwarded to the commission’s headquarters without formal communication or implementation.

They said the alleged discrepancies required an internal investigation and correction, irrespective of the ongoing court cases.

“The existence of inconsistent official records signed by the same officer is a matter that the Commission is duty-bound to resolve in the interest of the integrity of its own processes,” the statement said.

The lawyers also raised concerns about proceedings before the Federal High Court, alleging that the five individuals claiming candidacy had filed and prosecuted suits without notifying the party’s authentic candidates, whose interests were directly affected.

They said the affected candidates had taken steps to establish the status of the proceedings and pursue appropriate legal remedies.

The legal team argued that the failure to join parties whose rights could be affected raised concerns about fair hearing, particularly in pre-election disputes.

Responding to the statement by Bola Aidi, SAN & Co., the lawyers questioned why the firm had defended an INEC official instead of addressing the specific allegations concerning the disputed reports.

However, they cautioned against public speculation about any possible connection between the solicitors, their clients and the conduct of the INEC official, saying the matter should be left to the commission’s investigation.

The statement also addressed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1628/2026 and judgments delivered by the Federal High Court in Kano on October 14, 2026, which the lawyers said were being challenged on appeal.

They argued that Section 287(3) of the Constitution, which requires compliance with court orders, did not prevent INEC from investigating or correcting allegedly defective records produced by its officials.

According to the lawyers, the affected respondents had filed an appeal against the Federal High Court judgment and served the commission’s offices in Kano and Abuja.

The legal team further maintained that the party’s screening and clearance records showed that the five individuals represented by Bola Aidi, SAN & Co. had not been screened or cleared for the relevant constituencies.

It argued that an INEC monitoring report could not, by itself, confer candidacy on individuals who had not fulfilled the party’s nomination requirements.

The lawyers called on INEC to investigate the disputed reports, establish the authentic records of the party’s primary elections and take appropriate administrative action based on its findings.

The statement reaffirmed the NDC Kano State Chapter’s commitment to the rule of law and said the party’s authentic candidates would pursue available legal remedies to protect their nominations.

Note: The allegations in the statement represent the position of the NDC Kano State Chapter’s legal counsel and have not been independently verified by Kano Focus.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Kano State Commissioner for Education, Gwani (Dr.) Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, has been appointed Director-General for Kano North of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.

KANO FOCUS reports that yhe appointment was conveyed in a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is the chairman of the campaign council.

According to the letter, Makoda’s appointment recognises his capacity, experience and expected contributions to the party’s success in the forthcoming elections.

The governor urged the commissioner to discharge his responsibilities with dedication, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility, while working with other members of the council to achieve their collective objectives.

Gov Yusuf congratulated Makoda on the appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to bring his experience and commitment to bear on the effective performance of his duties.

The appointment places Makoda in a key campaign leadership position for Kano North as the APC prepares for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, saying their political differences will not diminish his affection for the former minister.

KANO FOCUS reports that Tinubu described Kwankwaso as a friend and influential progressive politician, acknowledging his contributions to Kano State and Nigeria over decades of public service.

The President conveyed his message in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, to mark Kwankwaso’s 70th birthday.

Tinubu recalled that his relationship with Kwankwaso dated back to 1992, when both served in the National Assembly, with Kwankwaso in the House of Representatives and Tinubu in the Senate.

He also recalled that they became governors of their respective states in 1999 as members of the group popularly known as the Class of ’99 Governors.

According to the President, the group played important roles in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s current democratic system.

Tinubu noted that their political paths diverged over the years before they came together in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” he said.

The President acknowledged Kwankwaso’s record as a two-term governor of Kano State, former Minister of Defence, former senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District and former presidential candidate.

He also referred to Kwankwaso’s current role as a presidential running mate, noting that the former governor remained an influential figure in the country’s political landscape.

Tinubu said their membership of different political parties and participation on competing platforms in the January 2027 election would not affect their longstanding relationship.

“As the former governor marks this milestone, I wish him good health, personal fulfilment, and many more years of engagement in the nation’s democratic process,” the President said.

The congratulatory message highlighted the longstanding political association between the two leaders, which has continued despite differences in their political affiliations.