A Kano governorship ticket remains unnamed on Nigeria’s published roster for the 2027 election, leaving the Nigeria Democratic Congress without listed candidates as reports describe a court dispute over its status.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published its updated final list on Oct. 31, 2026, naming the NDC for Kano’s governorship and deputy-governorship positions. Both candidate-name fields are blank, while the remarks column for each says “COURT ORDER.” The document does not identify Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo or a running mate for the ticket.
BusinessDay reported that Gwarzo had been reinstated as the NDC’s candidate. His name does not appear on the published INEC roster, which leaves the reported reinstatement unreflected in the list.
An unnamed senior INEC official told Daily Trust that the commission had cleared Gwarzo’s petition but could not publish the NDC names because of an ex parte order from a Federal High Court in Kano dated Oct. 27. The official also told the paper, “In other words, we have no issue with him.”
BusinessDay and Daily Post also reported, citing party figures, that the NDC asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel INEC to add Gwarzo to the list. Those reports describe a separate court action as the commission’s reported explanation for the blank fields points to an order from a court in Kano.
EconoTimes previously reported on INEC’s published 2027 candidate roster.
BusinessDay quoted Gwarzo’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, saying the dispute had increased the party’s support and visibility. The report gave no measure of any change in support.
INEC’s calendar schedules Kano’s governorship and State House of Assembly elections for Feb. 6, 2027.
