Again, coalition faults INEC’s declaration of Yusuf Kano gov-elect

A coalition of domestic observers accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has challenged the commission’s declaration that New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate Abba Yusuf won the Kano State governorship election. Yusuf received 1,019,602 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate and incumbent Deputy Governor Yusuf Gawuna, who garnered 890,705 votes. INEC announced Yusuf’s victory after collating results from all 44 local government areas (LGAs) in the state.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, coalition chairman Ali Abacha urged INEC to re‑examine the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) results from the LGAs of Gwarzo, Tudun Wada, Bagwai, Dala and Fagge. He said irregularities had been reported in these areas, allegedly perpetrated by state and non‑state actors seeking to undermine the election process.

Abacha cited Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), noting that the coalition considers the March 18, 2023 Kano State governorship and state assembly elections to have been marred by irregularities, violations of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, and therefore not in line with best democratic practice. He emphasized that the coalition is apolitical, neutral, and unaffiliated with any political party, and that it has never called for the cancellation of the Kano polls. Instead, the group advises that INEC review the results in the affected LGAs where over‑voting was reported.

The coalition explained that, as a tradition, it compiles, compares and reports data gathered by field officers deployed across all 44 LGAs after each election. According to Abacha, this data is accurate, reliable and verifiable, with no intent to misinform or malign any interest. The observers affirmed their respect for INEC as the legally mandated election umpire, while reiterating their duty to identify, observe, report and refer any concerns to the commission, consistent with statements made about elections in Abia, Adamawa, Enugu and Ogun states.