Despite the calm atmosphere, the election recorded relatively low voter turnout in several polling units, even as security personnel maintained a strong presence throughout the exercise
kaNo —
Bye-elections held in parts of Kano and Kebbi States on Saturday were largely peaceful, with electoral officials, security agencies, and political stakeholders commending the conduct of voters and the smooth deployment of logistics.
As voting concluded across affected constituencies, attention has shifted to the collation of results amid cautious optimism about the credibility of the process.
In Kano State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abdu Zango, described the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye-election as orderly, peaceful, and devoid of technical or security challenges.
He noted that the election proceeded without violence, disruptions, or operational setbacks.
“So far, so good. You have seen things for yourself. The Warawa and Dawakin Kudu bye-election has gone on very well. No violence, no rancour,” he said.
Zango also highlighted the effective deployment and performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), a critical technological tool introduced by INEC to enhance transparency and credibility in elections.
According to him, there were no recorded cases of malfunctioning devices across polling units.
“A few days before the election, we ensured all BVAS machines were updated for optimum performance. That preparation is reflected in today’s exercise. We have had no incidents of malfunction anywhere, and we are proud of that,” he added.
The REC further disclosed that three political parties—the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM)—participated in the bye-election, which witnessed what he described as a “massive turnout” of voters, particularly in Warawa.
He attributed the peaceful atmosphere to the synergy among security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, which served as the lead security agency during the election.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu-Bakori, confirmed that the election was conducted without any incidents of violence or security breaches.
He noted that unlike previous elections, where arrests were made and weapons recovered, Saturday’s exercise was remarkably calm.
“The election is without rancour. We didn’t see anybody carrying weapons as we used to see before. In the last election, we arrested over 300 suspects with arms.
Today, not even a stick or an abusive word has been recorded,” the police commissioner stated.
He credited the peaceful conduct to improved coordination among security agencies and increased voter awareness about the consequences of electoral violence.
“We can attribute this to the synergy among security agencies and the growing understanding among citizens that violence does not benefit the democratic process,” he added.
The Chairman of Warawa Local Government Area, Lamido Sanusi-Ahmad, also commended the Kano State Government, INEC, and security agencies for ensuring a hitch-free exercise.
He specifically praised INEC for the timely deployment of personnel and materials to the 143 polling units within the area.
Presiding officers at various polling units in Warawa corroborated these assessments, describing the election as smooth and successful, with minimal logistical challenges.
Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, the bye-election for the Zuru State Constituency seat in the State House of Assembly also concluded peacefully across approximately 200 polling units in Zuru Local Government Area.
Despite the calm atmosphere, the election recorded relatively low voter turnout in several polling units, even as security personnel maintained a strong presence throughout the exercise.
Residents in Zuru town were observed going about their normal daily activities, with markets and shops remaining open during voting hours—an indication of the peaceful environment that prevailed.
At polling units visited by journalists, security operatives were strategically stationed, and no major incidents were reported.
“The election is going on peacefully. Early hours often record low turnout, but we are optimistic more voters will come out.
Despite rainfall, people are still showing commitment to the democratic process,” he said.
Similarly, an APC chieftain, Muhammad Jafar Gajere, who spoke at Alhaji Budo Polling Unit in Rafin Zuru community, described the bye-election as a reflection of the party’s strength and acceptance among the electorate.
“This election provides an opportunity for the people to reaffirm their confidence in the APC. It also signals the party’s strength ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he stated.
The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Salihu Dangoje, who monitored the election across several polling units, commended the participation of women voters, noting that their turnout was particularly encouraging.
With voting concluded in both states, INEC officials have commenced the process of collating results, with party agents, observers, and supporters gathered at designated collation centres awaiting official announcements.
As stakeholders await the final outcomes, civil society organisations have continued to emphasise the need for sustained efforts to address electoral violence and strengthen democratic processes in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Bukola Idowu, recently called on government agencies, civil society groups, and citizens to collaborate more effectively in tackling the root causes of electoral violence.
Speaking in Abuja at the presentation of the final report of the Nigeria Violence Education and Resolution (NEVER) Project, Idowu stressed the importance of proactive engagement and long-term strategies in safeguarding elections.
The NEVER Project, supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), focuses on tracking, documenting, and mitigating electoral violence across the country.
According to Idowu, KDI recorded 210 cases of violence over the past year, including 98 incidents directly related to elections and 118 cases of non-electoral violence.
“These findings have been used to engage stakeholders, including security agencies and election management bodies, to improve preparedness and response mechanisms,” she said.
The peaceful conduct of the Kano and Kebbi bye-elections may serve as a positive indicator of progress in Nigeria’s electoral process, especially amid ongoing concerns about violence and voter apathy.
