The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Friday buzzed with election fever as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies geared up for Saturday’s by-election.

The stakes were high, with two seats in the state’s House of Assembly vacant after the sudden passing of Sarki Aliyu and Aminu Sa’ad Ungogo.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, exuded confidence that the polls would be peaceful, thanks to the synergy between his team and security agencies.

“We’ve reviewed our plans, and we’re ready to ensure a seamless election,” he said at a meeting with security heads.

Kano’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, echoed Zango’s assurance, saying security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order.

Bakori said: “No known threat, but we’re taking precautions.”

Meanwhile, the Kwankwasiyya Movement has frowned at President Bola Tinubu’s swift assent to the amended Electoral Act, calling it a threat to democracy.

“This raises concerns about one-party dominance,” said Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, the group’s spokesman.

As Kano’s voters prepared to head to the polls, the air was thick with anticipation. Would the election be a testament to Nigeria’s democratic maturity, or a step back? Who carries the day, between the APC and the NNPP?

Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection to APC has significantly shifted the political landscape in Kano, with 22 state lawmakers following suit.

This move is seen as a strategic alignment to accelerate state development, as Yusuf aims to leverage the federal government’s support. But it also impact Saturday’s by-elections, analysts said on Friday.

The recent by-elections for the two vacant seats in the Kano State House of Assembly yielded mixed results. APC won the Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency, while NNPP secured the Bagwai/Shanono seat, indicating a competitive dynamic between the two parties.

Given the current momentum, APC might have an edge in the upcoming elections, especially with Governor Yusuf’s support.

However, NNPP still holds significant influence, and the outcome will depend on various factors, including voter turnout and campaign strategies.

Police Restrict Movement Ahead of Assembly By-elections:

The Kano State Police Command has imposed an 18-hour curfew in Kano Municipal and Ungogo Local Government Areas, effective from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in a bid to ensure peaceful by-elections for the two vacant State Assembly seats.

Only vehicles on essential duties, including ambulances, fire trucks, and those of electoral officials and accredited observers, will be exempted from the restriction, which applies to all motor vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles.

The police said the decision followed a security review meeting by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, chaired by INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Zango Abdu, and the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.

The Command assured that all necessary measures are in place to guarantee a peaceful and credible election, with coordinated strategies and operational deployments in place to prevent any breach of peace. (The Nation)

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