The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State have announced that they will not participate in the state assembly by-elections scheduled for February 21, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ADC State Chairman, Musa Shu’aibu Ungoggo, said the party decided to boycott the exercise because it had no confidence in the credibility of the process.

According to him, the party believes the by-elections would amount to an “appointment” rather than a genuine electoral contest.

Ungoggo said he had personally observed several previous by-elections, which he described as a waste of time, adding that the ADC was focusing its energy on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

“Let the world know that ADC, as a political party, will not participate in the upcoming by-election. We are now concentrating on preparing for the 2027 general elections,” he said.

He further alleged that some political parties contesting the by-elections were doing so under the influence of the ruling party in the state.

Ungoggo claimed that he was approached to involve the ADC in the race but turned down the offer, insisting that the party would not be part of what he described as the “drama” associated with by-elections.

Similarly, the Kano State Chairman of the PDP, Yusuf Ado Kibiya, announced that his party would also boycott the polls, citing what he described as inadequate notice by INEC.

Kibiya said the timeframe given to the party was too short to allow for proper preparation and effective participation.

“Although we have written to INEC, we have not received any response. I have also informed the party headquarters about the situation,” he said.

“Therefore, I want to inform our members that we will not be participating in the upcoming by-elections.”

The by-elections were necessitated by vacancies in the Kano State House of Assembly following the loss of two serving lawmakers in December 2025. (Daily Trust)