The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) swept through Kano State’s local government elections, securing every single chairmanship and councillorship seat across all 44 local government areas. This sweeping victory was confirmed by the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) Chairman, Sani Malumfashi, who proudly announced the NNPP’s unchallenged success at the commission’s headquarters.
Six political parties took part, but in a result that should surprise no one, the NNPP simply cleaned house. Malumfashi commended the peaceful nature of the election, conveniently pointing out there were no reported cases of violence or electoral malpractice. Yet, one has to wonder: is it peace when there’s barely a contest, or is it simply quiet surrender?
Observers have praised the election, highlighting the security measures that apparently kept everything “seamless.” Local vigilante groups and the Kano Road Transport Agency (Karota) took charge of security—odd, considering the Kano State Police Command was told by a court order to stay away. Apparently, the police were nowhere to be seen, honoring a court restriction that might raise questions about who was actually in control.
The election wasn’t without legal drama, either. Just a day before, the Kano State High Court cleared KANSIEC to proceed with the election, dismissing efforts from political opponents, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other parties, to halt the exercise. Justice Sanusi Ma’aji affirmed KANSIEC’s constitutional authority to conduct the election, shutting down any opposition attempts to delay or disrupt it.
With the NNPP sweeping every single position, one could argue it was less of a race and more of a formality.
