SUNTV Global Channel reports that Saturday’s Kano State House of Assembly by-elections were conducted peacefully but witnessed poor voter turnout and the notable absence of major opposition parties from ballot papers.
Key political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), did not appear on the ballots, sparking fresh concerns about political participation and competitiveness in the exercise.
The by-elections were held across 1,014 polling units in 24 registration areas to fill vacant seats left after the deaths of two lawmakers, Aminu Sa’ad Ungogo and Sarki Aliyu, who represented Ungogo and Kano Municipal constituencies respectively and passed away on the same day in December 2025.
Despite early arrival of electoral materials and over 535,000 registered voters expected to participate, most polling units recorded sparse attendance throughout the voting period. Observers described the exercise as orderly, with heavy security presence and no major incidents reported.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) attributed the low turnout to multiple factors, including the ongoing Ramadan fasting period and public perception that the contest lacked strong political competition.
Speaking during an assessment visit in Kano State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, praised the peaceful conduct of residents.
“As far as security is concerned, there was no issue. Citizens behaved responsibly, and the process remained calm throughout,” he said.
Zango also linked the voter apathy to the timing of the election and the limited number of participating parties.
According to him, participation in elections rests entirely with political parties, stressing that INEC only registers candidates who meet legal requirements.
The development has further intensified discussions among political observers about declining voter engagement and the implications of reduced party participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
