Sons of Deceased Lawmakers Secure Landslide Wins in Kano State Assembly By-Elections for APC

 In a poignant turn of events, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has clinched decisive victories in the by-elections for the Ungogo and Kano Municipal constituencies in the Kano State House of Assembly. The winners, Aminu Sa’ad Sa’ad and Aliyu Nabil Daneji, are the sons of the late lawmakers whose untimely deaths created the vacancies, marking a rare instance of political inheritance amid Nigeria's dynamic electoral landscape.

The by-elections, held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, followed the sudden passing of Aminu Sa’ad (Ungogo) and Sarki Aliyu Daneji (Kano Municipal) on the same day in late 2025. This tragedy left the constituencies without representation, prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to schedule the polls to restore balance in the 40-member assembly.

Kano Conducts State Assembly By-Election Amid Calm - Voice of Nigeria  Broadcasting Service

In Ungogo, Aminu Sa’ad Sa’ad polled an overwhelming 8,975 votes, dwarfing his closest rival, Shua’ibu Hashimu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), who managed only 54 votes. INEC Returning Officer Prof. Ali Tijjani Abdullahi officially declared Sa’ad the winner, affirming that he had met all legal requirements for election.5be61b

Similarly, in Kano Municipal, Aliyu Nabil Daneji garnered 7,484 votes, far outpacing Shehu Ishaq Abdullahi of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), who received 105 votes. Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Siraj, the Returning Officer, pronounced Daneji elected, highlighting the smooth conduct of the process.

The path to these victories was not without intrigue. Initially, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which holds influence in Kano through figures like Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, expressed intent to nominate the sons as a gesture of support following their fathers' deaths. However, internal leadership crises within the NNPP led to its exclusion from the by-elections by INEC. The commission approved nine other parties, including the APC, but omitted the NNPP due to factional disputes.

NNPP spokesperson Engr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Karaye downplayed the exclusion, emphasizing that the party's primary goal was to enable the sons to succeed their fathers, regardless of the platform. "All we wanted was to help them out after their parents’ demise, and we have achieved our goal even if they are not running on our platform," Karaye stated. He likened the situation to preparing someone for a pilgrimage only to find another sponsor, underscoring that the outcome aligned with their supportive stance.

The candidates ultimately ran under the APC banner, a move that surprised some but was accepted by the NNPP. This shift occurred amid broader political realignments, including the defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which contributed to confusion in candidate submissions. Despite the APC's gains, Karaye asserted that the NNPP remains resilient, holding two seats and eyeing future successes under Kwankwaso's leadership in 2027.

KANO BY-ELECTION: Low Turnout Marks Kano Assembly By-Elections

Observers noted a low voter turnout, attributed to factors like voter apathy and the absence of major contenders like the NNPP. Security was tight but peaceful, with no reported incidents of violence. The results further bolster the APC's presence in the assembly, where 22 former NNPP members had previously defected to the party. 

These by-elections highlight the interplay of sympathy, party politics, and familial legacy in Nigerian democracy, setting the stage for potential shifts in Kano's political dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.