Kwankwasiyya explains absence from Kano bye-elections, cites compassion for late lawmakers’ families

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has defended its decision not to field candidates in the ongoing Kano State House of Assembly bye-elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies, saying the move was guided by compassion and respect for the families of the late lawmakers who previously occupied the seats.

In a statement issued on February 21, the group said both deceased legislators were elected on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and remained committed members of the movement until their deaths, which occurred on the same day.

According to the spokesperson of the movement, Habibu Sale Mohammed, the group’s national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had initially backed the nomination of the children of the deceased lawmakers as consensus candidates during the mourning period to preserve continuity and honour their parents’ sacrifices.

The political situation, however, changed following the defection of the Kano State governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The movement alleged that fresh candidates were introduced under the APC ahead of the deadline for submission of names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), before a reversal that saw the same children earlier nominated under the NNPP re-emerge as APC flag bearers.

The statement claimed the candidates were pressured to resign their NNPP membership and join the APC.

Despite the development, the movement said Kwankwaso maintained his earlier position that the children of the late legislators should return to the Assembly, regardless of the platform on which they eventually contested.

“As a mark of honour and loyalty to the deceased and their families, the NNPP deliberately chose not to substitute the names after their resignation from the party,” the statement said.

The group argued that the absence of NNPP candidates on the ballot, as published by INEC, confirmed that there was only one recognised party structure in the state and dismissed claims of factional participation in the elections.

It urged the public to ignore what it described as attempts to misrepresent the circumstances surrounding the party’s non-participation, reiterating that its decision was based on “compassion, justice and respect for fallen members” rather than political expediency.

The bye-elections are being conducted to fill the vacancies created by the death of the two lawmakers.