Residents of Bagwai and Shanono Local Government Areas in Kano State have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the tenure of the incoming state legislator ahead of the scheduled August 16 bye-election, which is being held to fill a long-vacant seat in the Kano State House of Assembly.
The seat, which covers both LGAs, has been vacant since April 2024 following the death of Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila. INEC’s failure to conduct a bye-election within the constitutionally mandated timeframe has left the constituency without representation for nearly two years.
A DAILY POST investigation found that there is confusion among residents and political stakeholders in the area about how long the new lawmaker will serve, especially with the 2027 general elections drawing near.
Comrade Adamu Magaji Shanono of the NNPP, who is from Shanono LGA, welcomed the election announcement but stressed the need for clarity on the term length.
“We’re grateful that INEC finally responded to our demands. Our community has suffered due to the lack of representation. But we now need INEC to clearly state how long the newly elected member will serve, especially since nearly two years have already been lost,” he said.
Residents in Bagwai LGA shared similar concerns. Ibrahim Isma’il encouraged people to turn out and vote, while also pressing INEC for clarification on the legislator’s term.
“We want full participation in the election, but INEC must also explain what the duration of the new term will be,” he said.
Responding to the growing calls for clarification, DAILY POST contacted the Kano INEC office. Public Enlightenment Officer Ashiru Garba Rano explained that the elected candidate will simply complete the original 2023–2027 legislative term, in accordance with electoral laws.
“Under the constitution, a candidate elected in a bye-election serves out the remainder of the original term, which began in 2023 and ends in 2027,” he said.
Legal experts, including Barrister Bashir Yusif Tudun Wuzirchi, confirmed this interpretation. He criticized both INEC and the affected communities for not seeking legal redress earlier to compel timely action.
“INEC’s delay is unfortunate, but the communities also failed to pursue legal options. That said, the law is unambiguous—the winner will serve the remainder of the term ending in 2027,” he stated.
With the bye-election approaching, all attention is now on how the contest will play out between the three major political parties—APC, PDP, and the ruling NNPP.
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