By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Nigeria’s democratic journey is again under intense scrutiny. In advance of the upcoming Kano State House of Assembly by-election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally cleared ten registered political parties to field candidates, a development that underscores both the promise and challenge of representative politics in Africa’s most populous nation. The exercise, slated for February 21, is not just about filling legislative vacancies, it is a referendum on political pluralism, institutional credibility and the very vitality of Nigeria’s electoral system.
At a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Kano, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Abdu Zango, confirmed that INEC received valid nominations from ten political parties for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies. This decision opens the contest to a broad cross-section of political voices, symbolising an inclusive democratic contest where voters not party elites, determine outcomes.
According to the announcement, the parties cleared for participation include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Good Party, Action Alliance (AA), Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
This list represents the breadth of Nigeria’s political spectrum from mainstream ruling parties to emerging independents and grassroots-oriented formations. At its core, the decision reaffirms the constitutional principle that political pluralism is central to democratic legitimacy, enshrined in Nigeria’s democratic canon. A scholar of African politics at a leading research university once remarked, “Democracy is not merely the act of voting, it is the assurance that every voice, from majority to minority, is heard and weighed.”
By-Elections: More Than a Filling of Seats.
By-elections are a routine constitutional requirement anywhere democracy is practised. They are convened to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation or judicial intervention after general elections. In Kano’s case, recent council members vacated seats, necessitating this supplementary poll. Its importance is magnified when viewed against Nigeria’s broader democratic evolution since the return to civilian rule in 1999, a period marked by incremental institutional strengthening and frequent contestation over electoral legitimacy.
According to reputable analyses of past Nigerian by-elections, these processes often mirror the larger dynamics that define general elections: intense competition, often sharp rhetoric from rival camps and, occasionally, allegations of malpractice. The scholar and political commentator Reuben Abati has noted that “by-elections are microcosms of national politics also revealing the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral system in miniature.” Such assessments are borne out by past contests, where ruling parties have dominated outcomes while opposition actors have raised serious concerns about fairness, transparency and administrative preparedness.
INEC’s Mandate and Institutional Integrity.
INEC stands at the heart of this process. The Commission’s constitutional mandate is to organise elections that are free, fair, transparent and conducted with integrity, a tall order in a country with profound political diversity and at times fractious competition. Ahead of the Kano by-election, the Commission has repeatedly stated its readiness and commitment to a credible process. Officials have confirmed the deployment of electoral materials, extensive training for ad-hoc staff and the use of advanced technology to authenticate voters including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), to enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for malpractice.
INEC’s efforts resonate far beyond procedural technicalities. As one international electoral expert notes, “Technology in elections is no longer a luxury, it is the foundation for public trust in democratic outcomes.” Indeed, the sustained effort to deploy BVAS and insist on valid voter accreditation cards signals an institutional determination to reduce fraud and safeguard voter confidence.
Yet technical preparedness alone does not guarantee legitimacy. INEC’s neutrality, the equitable treatment of all parties, and the fair adjudication of disputes before and after polling will ultimately define this exercise’s credibility. Opposition parties have in past elections accused the Commission of bias or administrative lapses, though institutional defenders argue these claims often serve partisan interests rather than empirical reality.
The Political Spectrum in Kano: Contestation and Competition.
Kano holds a special place in Nigeria’s political landscape. As one of the most populous states with a vibrant civil society and politically active populace, its elections are intensely watched. Recent by-elections conducted in 2025 illustrate what is at stake: the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) each secured victories in separate legislative contests, underscoring the competitive and unpredictable nature of party politics in the region.
Results from past contests show that while ruling parties often leverage incumbency advantages, opposition forces have successfully challenged them, reflecting a political environment that resists monolithic domination. NNPP’s victory in one constituency and APC’s success in another highlight the diversity of voter preference and the reality that no political force is monolithic in appeal.
This dynamic has profound implications. It reinforces the principle that representative democracy thrives when competition is real and voters can choose between credible alternatives. Political scientist Larry Diamond once observed, “Democracy is not just competition for power, it is competition for public legitimacy.” In Kano, this competition is alive, and parties are mobilising intensely to persuade voters of their vision for governance.
The Stakes for Governance and Civic Trust.
Understanding the stakes of this by-election requires attention to the broader context of governance and public trust. Nigeria grapples with significant socioeconomic challenges, from unemployment and regional inequality to security concerns and public service delivery gaps. Credible elections, therefore, are not ends in themselves but mechanisms through which citizens judge the competence and credibility of political leadership. As former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said, “Elections are the vehicles of democratic participation. Without credible elections, we build no lasting foundation for accountable governance.”
For Nigerian voters (especially in Kano) this by-election is a moment of agency. It is an occasion to affirm or rebut incumbent performance, to signal discontent or to endorse continuity. It is also a test of whether public institutions like INEC can operate without undue influence, demonstrating that Nigeria’s democracy is more resilient than cynical narratives suggest.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead.
Notwithstanding the positive steps, challenges remain. Political violence and disruption have marred past by-elections, with some parties alleging intimidation and irregularities. Such concerns threaten not just specific outcomes but the broader perception of electoral legitimacy. Experts argue that Nigeria must grapple seriously with these structural challenges, including strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing civic education and ensuring security agencies remain neutral during elections.
Nonetheless, the approval of ten parties for this by-election reflects the vibrancy of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. It suggests that, despite institutional and political strains, space exists for diverse voices to contend for legislative representation is a reassuring signal for citizens who yearn for inclusive governance.
Policy Implications: Democracy in Motion.
As Kano prepares for its House of Assembly by-elections, the world watches not just ballots being cast but democratic principles being tested. The approval of ten registered parties, the deployment of advanced voter accreditation systems and the spirited competition between rival political formations collectively signal a political system in evolution and imperfect yet striving for integrity.
This election is more than a contest between political parties; it is a referendum on democratic resilience, civic agency and institutional fortitude. For Nigeria’s diverse citizenry, it offers an opportunity to reaffirm that democracy is not about foregone conclusions, but about contestation, dialogue, fairness and respect for the people’s choice.
In the words of Kwame Nkrumah, “Democracy is not an end in itself, but a means to an end with a just and equitable society.” The Kano by-election, in this sense, must be judged not just by the winners it declares, but by the confidence it instils in citizens and the futures it opens for greater participation, fairness and accountable leadership.
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