The Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged its members to remain calm following the omission of its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam-Gwarzo, from the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday.
The party said the omission was not caused by any failure on its part, adding that INEC had attributed the development to a computer glitch and promised to rectify the issue.
The NDC’s Public Relations Officer in Kano, Yusif Fasaha, gave the assurance in a statement made available to journalists shortly after the electoral commission published the list.
Fasaha said the party had contacted INEC over the omission and was assured that the problem would be resolved.
“As the PRO of the party, the problem is not from us. We have consulted INEC, and they told us that the problem was from the computer and that they would rectify it,” he said.
He appealed to party members and supporters to remain calm, expressing confidence that the issue would be addressed within days.
“So, everybody should remain calm. Between now and Monday, another list containing his name will be released,” Fasaha added.
NDC Insists Governorship Candidate Met INEC Requirements
The NDC spokesman maintained that Abdussalam-Gwarzo had fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the election, insisting that the party completed the necessary processes within the stipulated timeframe.
He said the party had reviewed the published list and would continue consultations with the relevant authorities until the matter was resolved.
The omission has raised concerns among party members over the inclusion of the NDC candidate in the official list of governorship contenders. However, the party expressed optimism that INEC would correct the reported technical error.
The commission’s reported assurance, as relayed by the NDC spokesman, suggests that the party expects the candidate’s name to appear in a revised list. The correction, however, remains subject to official confirmation by INEC.
INEC Lists 17 Governorship Candidates in Kano
The published list contained 17 governorship candidates and their running mates from various political parties.
Governor Abba Yusuf was listed as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Murtala Sule-Garo named as his running mate.
The NDC is seeking the inclusion of Abdussalam-Gwarzo’s name in the official list, with Fasaha assuring members that the party is working to resolve the matter through consultations with INEC.
As of the time of the party’s statement, the NDC was awaiting the promised correction. The next official list from the electoral commission will determine whether Abdussalam-Gwarzo’s name has been included.