By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and national assembly elections.

The commission also fixed February 6, 2027, as the date for governorship and state houses of assembly election.

Mohammed Haruna, national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, announced the new election timetable in a statement issued on Thursday.

The electoral body had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections and March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state houses of assembly elections but was forced to review the schedule following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The Kano State Government has strongly rejected allegations made by Amnesty International in its recent publication titled “Kano: Escalating Repression Endangers Freedom of Expression.” The report accused security agencies of arresting, detaining, and harassing individuals critical of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, on February 25, 2026, the government described the claims as “misleading, unfounded, and a gross misrepresentation of facts.”

According to Waiya, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to protecting fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. He stressed that at no time has the government directed security agencies to target or intimidate individuals for expressing dissenting opinions.

The Commissioner noted that while freedom of expression is constitutionally protected, it is not absolute. He explained that the law also safeguards the rights and dignity of others, adding that libel, slander, defamation, hate speech, incitement, and deliberate misinformation fall outside the boundaries of free speech. “No democratic society permits the weaponization of social media to spread malicious falsehoods or content capable of breaching public peace,” Waiya said.

Waiya further emphasized that security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), operate strictly within their statutory mandates. He clarified that arrests or invitations are based on petitions or credible allegations of wrongdoing, such as cyberbullying, defamation, or incitement. He insisted that the Kano State Government does not control or micromanage federal security agencies but supports lawful measures to curb cybercrime.

The statement also lamented the misuse of social media platforms by some individuals under the guise of civic liberty. Waiya argued that such practices encourage misinformation and personal attacks that undermine healthy democratic engagement. He maintained that the government has a responsibility to ensure digital spaces do not become breeding grounds for disorder or reputational damage.

Highlighting the administration’s record, Waiya said Governor Yusuf’s government has been recognized as one of the most media- and civil society–friendly in Nigeria. He pointed to the adoption of the Open Government Partnership initiative, which promotes citizen participation in governance. “This development has significantly recorded the highest civic engagements in the history of Kano,” he stated.

The Commissioner also cited Governor Yusuf’s precedent-setting decision to pay gratuities and entitlements to opposition members, describing it as evidence of tolerance and inclusivity. He reiterated that citizens are free to express opinions without harassment, but cautioned that criticism must not cross into defamation or incitement.

Waiya stressed that the government does not target social media influencers or political opponents. He urged organizations and commentators to verify facts before making sweeping conclusions that could undermine state authority or create unnecessary tension.

He said, the Kano State Government is committed to democratic values, rule of law, and peaceful coexistence. “This administration will continue to uphold justice, fairness, and respect for constitutional rights while ensuring those rights are exercised responsibly,”

The Kano Peace Coalition Group, has uncovered a report on how the Leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, allegedly manipulate Youth groups to create uncertainty and chaos in the ancient City of Kano.

The State Coordinator of the Group, Datti Datti Tukur, said in a release, Tuesday, that the Youth’s who are members of Kwankwasiyya Movement from the branches of the Social Media, have recently taken on their accounts attacking prominent political figures including the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Abdullahi U GANDUJE and anyone that disagrees with his self serving political philosophy.
The group specifically singled out a case in which the Kwankwasiyya handlers degnirated the personality of Gov Yusuf depicting him in female attires wearing makeup.

Datti further added that, One of the characters involved in these atrocities was Abba Ibrahim Hussain aka Aiha, a notorious cyber stalker allegedly on the payroll of KWANKWASO.

“Available record shows that Hussain has been charged to a Magistrate Court 47 Zungeru Road, and reminded in Prison on 23 February 2026 for the offences of Cyber Bullying, Stalking and inciting public disturbances” by the DSS kano command.

Similarly the Group also cited a case of one Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda who was cautioned in the past by the security operatives for allegedly being used by Kwankwaso to denigrate the character of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and creat tension in the state.

The group further added that “Despite clear facts against him, Danbilki was neither detained nor harassed by the security Agency”.

They said, reports available to them, also identified one Samir Sani Hanga, Son of the Senator representing Kano Central, Sani Hanga, who was also accused of Cyber Bullying and Staking but cautioned by the security to desist from such criminal behavior in the presence of his father.

“Investigation also uncovered the involvement of one Abdullahi Aminu Warkal, another Kwankwasiyya social media handler who was alleged to have been harassed by the Security operatives.

“Report however indicated that Warkal was invited by the security agency to explain how he defrauded the government of N10 Million.

The Coordinator, appealed to Amnesty International who was said to have issued a statement alleging harassment of Political opponents in Kano to verify every claim with the spirit of fairness and professionalism before taking stand to avoid compromising the group’s reputation and credibility.

“That as a respected INGO, Amnesty International should not allow itself to be compromised by anybody but including KWANKWASO.”
The need to investigate and verify claims before rushing to the press is sacrosanct and complementary to the efforts of security agencies towards eradicating the menace of cyber bullying and disrespect for constituted authority.

He said, “Kano is a respected State with People of dignity, integrity and religious consciousness. No one will be happy to see some misguided individuals sponsored to disrespect elders and leaders. The Amnesty International should look at the issues of cyber bullying, stalking and incitement that clearly violates the law.