Residents of Kano Municipal and Ungogo Local Government Areas voted on Saturday, February 21, 2026, to elect new representatives in by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission following the death of two state lawmakers on December 24, 2025.
The deceased lawmakers, who represented Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies, died on the same day from different causes, prompting INEC to schedule the polls to fill the vacant seats.
Observers noted low voter turnout across several polling units in Kano Municipal, including Kwalli, Wajila, Kankarofi, Dan’agundi, Sharada and Gidan Sarkin Kano. Some voters attributed the situation to the Ramadan fast and the cool weather, while others cited the absence of major opposition parties such as the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The political atmosphere was also shaped by recent defections, including that of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress. Initially, NNPP leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had given the party’s tickets to the sons of the late lawmakers—Nabil Sarki Aliyu for Kano Municipal and Aminu Sa’ad for Ungogo—but the candidates later defected to the APC and were revalidated. The NNPP subsequently withdrew from active participation in the by-elections.
At the Dan’agundi polling unit, a voter, Ibrahim Alhassan, complained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System failed to accredit him despite his name appearing on the voter register. He alleged there were no alternatives for voters facing such challenges.
Concerns were also raised by persons with disabilities. In Ungogo town, Sulaiman Muhammad said inadequate voter awareness and lack of provisions for people with special needs discouraged participation.
Despite the challenges, the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Abdu Zango, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the exercise, noting that voter turnout was expected to improve later in the day. The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, also commended residents for maintaining peace.
Some women voters expressed optimism that the election would lead to better representation. Sadiya Musa Zakiru, a women leader in Dan’agundi, said women were keen on civic participation and community development, adding that many were initially engaged in religious activities earlier in the day.
Security agencies and electoral officials maintained that the process remained calm across polling units, expressing confidence that the by-elections would conclude successfully.
