Residents of Bagwai and Shanono Native Authorities Areas in Kano State have known as on the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) to make clear the tenure of the incoming state legislator forward of the August 16 bye-election, which is being carried out to fill the vacant seat within the Kano State Home of Meeting.
The seat, which represents the 2 LGAs, has remained vacant for practically two years following the dying of the previous lawmaker, Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila, in April 2024. INEC didn’t conduct a bye-election throughout the stipulated time, leaving the constituency with out illustration.
A DAILY POST investigation revealed that politicians and residents within the space are confused concerning the anticipated period of workplace for whoever wins the election, because the timeline for the subsequent basic election is already drawing shut.
Comrade Adamu Magaji Shanono of the NNPP, who hails from Shanono LGA, mentioned the folks welcomed the announcement of the election date. Nonetheless, their foremost concern now could be to grasp the time period of the brand new legislator.
“We’re glad INEC has lastly listened to our calls. Our space has suffered critical neglect because of lack of illustration within the Home. Now we’d like INEC to inform us clearly how lengthy the brand new member will serve. We’ve already misplaced about two years because of their delay,” he mentioned.
In Bagwai LGA, related sentiments have been expressed. Ibrahim Isma’il urged residents to return out and vote, whereas additionally calling on INEC to offer solutions on the tenure query.
“We would like the folks to take part on this election, however on the similar time, INEC should clear the air and assist us perceive what this time period will seem like,” he mentioned.
In response to the mounting issues, DAILY POST reached out to the Kano INEC workplace. The Public Enlightenment Officer, Ashiru Garba Rano, defined that the winner of the bye-election would merely full the unique 2023–2027 time period, in step with nationwide electoral legal guidelines.
“In line with the structure, anybody elected by means of a bye-election will full the rest of the time period, which began in 2023 and ends in 2027,” he mentioned.
Some authorized consultants, together with Barrister Bashir Yusif Tudun Wuzirchi, supported this interpretation. He additionally blamed each INEC and the affected communities for not taking authorized steps earlier to compel INEC to carry the election.
“The delay was a failure on the a part of INEC, but additionally on the folks for not difficult it legally. Nonetheless, the legislation is obvious — the winner will serve out the time period ending in 2027,” he famous.
All eyes at the moment are on how the election will unfold as three main events — APC, PDP, and the ruling NNPP — put together to contest for the seat.