NNPP Wins By-Election in Kano, Exposes APC’s Weakness as Party Members Call for Unity
- The New Nigeria Peoples Party and the All Progressives Congress have shared victory in the elections conducted in Kano state
- The once-dominating state for the APC now wrestles electorate's support with the emergence of NNPP as a strong political force
- The by-election exposes the APC's weakness as party stalwarts discuss lapses, sharing what the party should focus on
Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
Kano, Kano State - The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has emerged victorious in the Bagwai/Shanono state constituency in the just-concluded August 16 by-election in Kano, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed victory in the Ghari/Tsanyawa supplementary poll.
Source: Twitter
Adamu Shitu, the Returning Officer for the Bagwai/Shanono election, announced on Sunday that NNPP candidate Ali Hassan Kiyawa won with 16,198 votes, defeating the APC’s Ahmad Muhammad Kadamu, who secured 5,347 votes.
The by-election was held following the death of former APC lawmaker Halilu Ibrahim Kundila in April 2024.
In addition, in the Ghari/Tsanyawa supplementary election, APC’s Garba Ya’u Gwarmai was declared the winner by Returning Officer Prof. Muhammad Waziri of Bayero University.
Gwarmai polled 31,472 votes, narrowly defeating NNPP’s Yusuf Ali Maigado, who garnered 27,931 votes.
The poll was conducted after the initial election in the constituency was declared inconclusive.
However, the by-elections in Kano state have exposed the deepening cracks within the APC, as internal dissatisfaction and calls for unity dominate post-election discussions.
Internal crisis rocks Kano APC
Findings by Legit.ng reveal how the APC, once a dominant force in Kano politics, struggled to make an impact in the just-concluded by-elections.
Early reports indicated poor coordination, voter apathy, and a lack of strong mobilisation from the party.
Party members also expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of cohesion among key stakeholders, which they believe contributed to the party’s poor performance.
A party stalwart, Murtala Saleh in Shanono, lamented how the party went into this election divided.
“It was our fault. That is the only thing I will say. There was no clear strategy, and our leaders were not on the same page. How do you expect to win an election like that?” he said.
Alhaji Musa Bagwai, an APC member in Bagwai, accused some APC leaders of sabotage.
“There were people who should have mobilised voters but stayed away. How can we win like this? Some leaders worked against the party’s candidates because of personal grievances. If we don’t unite, 2027 will be a disaster for us.” Bagwai stated.
Stalwart highlights APC's failure
Reacting to the by-election results, Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari and an APC member, expressed concerns over the party’s performance."
In a social media post, Ahmad acknowledged the APC’s struggles in Kano, stressing the need for unity to revive the party’s fortunes.
“Even though I absolutely failed to find the right words to describe today’s by-elections in Kano... one thing became crystal clear to me: what our party needs in Kano is unity. Real, absolute unity,” Ahmad wrote.
He urged party members to confront the reality of the APC’s declining influence in Kano, once considered one of its strongest strongholds.
“We must stop being in denial and accept that the APC is now an opposition party in Kano. And until we acknowledge that reality, we won’t begin the serious work needed to reclaim our place,” he stated.
Ahmad called for collaboration among party members to rebuild the APC’s structures and restore its electoral strength.
“It is time to collaborate with anyone and everyone to restore our party’s relevance and winning power again,” he added.
Source: Twitter
APC wins Kano supplementary election
The APC has secured victory in the Ghari/Tsanyawa supplementary election held in Kano state.
Announcing the results on Sunday morning, August 17, the returning officer (RO), Professor Muhammad Waziri from Bayero University, declared APC candidate Garba Gwarmai the winner with a total of 31,472 votes.
He defeated the candidate of the NNPP, Yusuf Maigado, who polled 27,931 votes.
Source: Legit.ng
Usman Bello Balarabe (Kano Correspondent) Kano's regional correspondent, Usman Bello Balarabe is a journalist, media strategist, and university lecturer in the state. He worked as an investigative journalist with Daily Trust Newspaper Nigeria. His career is passionately geared towards stimulating social justice, exposing corruption, ensuring good governance and accountability. In his over 7 years of journalism practice, he has authored investigations and numerous special and beat reports at the intersection of environment, health, education, agriculture, public spending, security, and politics.
Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan (Editorial Assistant) Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan is a Legit.ng journalist with over a year of experience writing for Punch Newspaper. He received his BSc in Criminology and Security Studies from FUOYE. His background in media communications and criminology, with practical experience in research, interviewing, and digital media, allows him to craft compelling narratives that drive positive change. Fadehan is an Editorial Assistant on Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng. He is committed to ethical journalism, leveraging his skills to create a meaningful impact. Reach him at abdul-hafeez.fadehan@corp.legit.ng or 070622666732.
