Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and the protection of the rights of all citizens to freely practice their faiths without discrimination.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesman Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.

The Governor made the declaration while receiving the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Professor Nazila Ghanea, who led a delegation on an official visit to Kano State as part of her nationwide assessment of issues relating to freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Governor Yusuf welcomed the delegation and emphasized Kano’s reputation as a state where people of different religious backgrounds have lived side by side in peace, mutual respect and understanding.

He noted that the administration has continued to support policies and institutions that strengthen social harmony, uphold justice and protect the constitutional rights of all residents regardless of their religious affiliation.

Governor Yusuf stated that Kano remains committed to fostering dialogue among religious communities and addressing emerging challenges through lawful and inclusive mechanisms that promote peace and stability.

He explained that the state government recognizes the important role of traditional institutions, religious leaders and community stakeholders in sustaining harmony and preventing tensions that could threaten peaceful coexistence.

The Governor further assured the UN delegation of the state’s readiness to cooperate with national and international bodies working to advance human rights, religious freedom and respect for diversity.

Speaking during the engagement, Professor Ghanea said her visit was aimed at examining the situation of freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria, including constitutional and institutional safeguards, challenges faced by religious communities, the role of traditional practices and efforts being made to address religious discrimination and tensions where they exist.

The delegation held discussions with senior government officials and other stakeholders on measures being implemented to strengthen interfaith understanding, protect fundamental freedoms and promote peaceful relations among communities.

Governor Yusuf thanked the United Nations Human Rights Council for choosing Kano as one of the states to be visited and reiterated his administration’s determination to preserve the state’s legacy of religious tolerance, unity and peaceful coexistence.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has unveiled Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate for the forthcoming gubernatorial contest.

In a statement by Kwankwasiyya spokesperson Habibu Sale Mailemo said Mustapha Kwankwaso will serve as the deputy governorship candidate on the NDC ticket. The unveiling marks a major step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections and is expected to generate considerable interest across Kano’s political landscape.

Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, one of the most influential political figures in northern Nigeria and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement. His emergence as running mate is likely to strengthen the NDC’s grassroots appeal, particularly among loyal supporters of the Kwankwasiyya political structure.

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of 2027, analysts say the emergence of Mustapha Kwankwaso as running mate adds a new dimension to Kano’s political equation and underscores the continued relevance of the Kwankwasiyya movement in the state’s politics.

The NDC is expected to intensify consultations, grassroots mobilization, and campaign preparations in the coming months as it positions itself for the battle to succeed the current administration in Kano State.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

The other political parties the court directed the electoral body to deregister are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The court order followed a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.

The National Forum of Former Legislators had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, prayed the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.

It was the position of the plaintiff that the five political parties listed as defendants in the matter had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

The former legislators stressed that the requirements include winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.

They told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and by-elections conducted by INEC, thereby failing to win seats across key tiers of government.

The litigants insisted that the continued existence of the ADC and the other defendants as recognised political parties is unlawful and undermines the integrity of the country’s electoral system.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiff urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties.

It further urged the court to compel the commission to deregister the five political parties before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.

Beyond declaratory reliefs, the plaintiff prayed the court to restrain the five affected parties from participating in general elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primaries.

It also sought a court injunction restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with the parties in any official capacity unless and until they strictly comply with constitutional provisions.

The judgment may affect the chances of candidates of the affected political parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to contest the 2027 presidential poll.