Internal party crises and strategic boycotts sideline major opposition as APC gains upper hand in Kano Assembly polls

Major opposition parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) — were conspicuously absent from the ballot in Saturday’s Kano State House of Assembly by-election, dramatically shrinking the pool of contenders and reshaping the political contest.

The by-election, held in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies, was organised to fill vacancies left by the deaths of two NNPP lawmakers in 2025. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed only nine parties on the ballot, among them the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Action Congress (AAC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and the Accord Party.

The absence of three prominent opposition parties, however, became a major talking point, exposing internal wrangling and strategic decisions that shaped the election.

Findings revealed that the NNPP was shut out after failing to submit a valid list of candidates, a situation blamed on deepening factional crises within the party. Rival groups reportedly forwarded conflicting nominations for the two constituencies, leaving INEC unable to authenticate any as legitimate.

Meanwhile, the PDP and ADC chose not to participate in the by-election. Party officials cited concerns over the electoral timetable and preparedness, opting to boycott the exercise rather than field candidates.

Analysts say the development effectively handed a significant advantage to the APC, widely viewed as the strongest contender in the reduced field. Reports from polling units also pointed to low voter turnout, amid tight security deployment across the affected areas.

The by-election outcome is expected to influence the balance of power in the Kano State House of Assembly, particularly in Kano Municipal and Ungogo, where the NNPP previously held sway.