An aide to Kano NDC governorship candidate Aminu Gwarzo says the INEC controversy has increased the party’s popularity ahead of the 2027 election
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, has claimed that the controversy surrounding the removal and subsequent restoration of Aminu Gwarzo’s name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list has increased the party’s popularity.
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Shuaibu made the claim on Friday while reacting to INEC’s decision to restore Gwarzo’s name ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said the party was not worried when its candidate’s name was initially omitted because it was confident that it had complied with all the necessary electoral procedures.
According to him, the development was a temporary setback that the party expected would be resolved.
“We were not frightened because we followed all the laid-down procedures from party membership to the nomination process and submission of our candidate’s details,” he said.
Shuaibu further argued that the controversy had generated public sympathy for the NDC and encouraged more people to identify with the party.
“What the electoral commission intended as a setback has actually worked in our favour. It has increased our supporters, strengthened our popularity and made more people identify with us,” he said.
He added that the party would sustain its campaign and grassroots mobilisation across Kano State while presenting its policies and plans to voters.
The NDC spokesperson also expressed confidence that the development would improve the party’s prospects in the 2027 governorship election.
INEC restored Gwarzo’s name following public controversy over its earlier omission from the list of candidates for the forthcoming poll.
The dispute had drawn attention to the party’s participation in the election, with the latest decision clearing the way for Gwarzo’s name to appear on the commission’s list.
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However, Shuaibu’s claim of increased popularity reflects the party’s position, rather than an independently established measure of its support in Kano State.
