Key Takeaways

• INEC has explained why Abdulsalam Gwarzo’s name is missing from its updated Kano State candidate list.
• A senior commission official said Gwarzo had been cleared to contest.
• The official attributed the absence of his name to a Federal High Court order issued in Kano on October 27.
• The order reportedly prevents INEC from uploading the names of NDC candidates.
• The Kano NDC governorship and deputy governorship positions were marked “Court Order” on the updated list released on Saturday.
• INEC had earlier reviewed petitions arising from its October 10 candidate list.
• The commission reportedly upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others.
• Former minister Isa Pantami was among those whose names were restored and now appears as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State.
• INEC’s explanation does not mean that Gwarzo has been disqualified; the commission says he has been cleared, subject to the court order.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why the name of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, is missing from its updated list of candidates.

The commission said Gwarzo had been cleared to contest the election but could not publish his name because of a court order restricting the publication of NDC candidates.

A senior INEC official disclosed that a Federal High Court in Kano issued an ex parte order on October 27, directing the commission not to upload the names of any candidates presented by the party.

INEC Says Gwarzo Has Been Cleared to Contest

According to the senior official, the commission has no issue with Gwarzo’s candidacy, but must comply with the court order pending its final outcome.

The official, who spoke with Daily Trust, explained that the restriction was responsible for the candidate’s absence from the updated list rather than a rejection of his nomination by INEC.

The official said:

I thought I told you he had been cleared, subject only to the final outcome of an ex parte order by a Federal High Court in Kano on October 27 that we should not download the name of any candidate for NDC. In other words, we have no issue with him.

The explanation clarifies the distinction between Gwarzo’s clearance to contest and INEC’s inability to publish his name while the court order remains in effect.

INEC’s Updated List Shows Court Order Against Kano NDC Candidates

Checks on the updated list released by INEC on Saturday showed that the Kano State governorship and deputy governorship positions under the NDC were marked “Court Order.”

The development reportedly generated confusion because the commission had earlier been reported to have restored Gwarzo following a review of petitions concerning candidates omitted from its previous list.

However, the latest explanation from the senior INEC official indicates that the absence of the NDC candidates’ names is connected to the October 27 court order.

The commission’s position, as explained by the official, is that Gwarzo has been cleared, but the order prevents the publication of the party’s candidates’ names.

INEC Earlier Reviewed Petitions Over Omitted Candidates

The latest development follows INEC’s review of complaints arising from its earlier candidate list released on October 10.

On Thursday, the commission considered petitions submitted by candidates seeking the restoration of their names on the list.

According to the report, INEC upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others involving governorship and state House of Assembly candidates.

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, was among those whose names were restored following the review.

Pantami now appears on the updated list as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State.

His restoration was among the developments arising from the commission’s review of complaints over omitted candidates.

What Happens to Gwarzo’s Candidacy?

For now, INEC’s explanation is that Gwarzo has been cleared to contest, but the commission cannot publish his name because of the Federal High Court order issued in Kano on October 27.

The official’s comments do not establish the final outcome of the court proceedings or indicate when the restriction on publishing NDC candidates’ names may be lifted.

The matter therefore remains subject to the court order and its eventual outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why has INEC not published Abdulsalam Gwarzo’s name?

According to a senior INEC official, the commission has not published Gwarzo’s name because a Federal High Court in Kano issued an order preventing the publication of NDC candidates’ names.

2. Has INEC cleared Abdulsalam Gwarzo to contest in Kano State?

Yes. The senior INEC official said Gwarzo had been cleared to contest, adding that the commission had no issue with him, subject to the final outcome of the court order.

3. When was the court order issued?

The Federal High Court order in Kano was reportedly issued on October 27.

4. What did INEC’s updated candidate list show for the NDC in Kano?

The updated list released on Saturday showed the NDC governorship and deputy governorship positions in Kano State marked “Court Order.”

5. Does the absence of Gwarzo’s name mean he has been disqualified?

The information provided does not establish that Gwarzo has been disqualified. INEC’s official explanation is that he has been cleared, but the court order prevents the commission from publishing the NDC candidates’ names.

6. How many petitions did INEC uphold and reject?

INEC reportedly upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others following its review of complaints concerning omitted governorship and state Assembly candidates.

7. Was Isa Pantami among the candidates whose names were restored?

Yes. Former Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Professor Isa Pantami, was among those whose names were restored. He now appears as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State.

Final Editorial Wrap-Up

INEC’s explanation has provided further clarification on the absence of Abdulsalam Gwarzo’s name from the updated Kano State candidate list.

Although the commission says the NDC governorship candidate has been cleared to contest, it maintains that the Federal High Court order issued on October 27 prevents it from publishing the party’s candidates’ names.

The development highlights the effect of the ongoing court-related restriction on the electoral process in Kano State. The final position on the matter remains subject to the outcome of the court proceedings.