The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have continued to trade accusations following Saturday’s bye-elections in Kano, which ended in a split outcome.

In Ghari/Tsanyawa state constituency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared APC candidate, Ya’u Garba Gwarmai, winner with 31,472 votes, defeating NNPP’s Mohammed Yusuf Ali, who polled 27,931 votes. The seat had become vacant after the Court of Appeal nullified the earlier election won by the APC.

In Bagwai/Shanono constituency, however, NNPP’s Ali Lawal Al-Hassan emerged victorious with 16,198 votes, defeating APC’s Abdullahi Ahmed Muhammed, who secured 5,347 votes.

The seat became vacant following the death of APC lawmaker Halilu Kundila in April 2024. The PDP candidate, Suleiman Muhammad Lawan, came a distant third with 159 votes.

The APC, however, rejected both outcomes, demanding cancellation of the elections over alleged irregularities.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, accused the NNPP of importing thugs from neighbouring states and countries to intimidate voters and disrupt the polls.

“The NNPP breached the peace accord signed by political parties and mobilised armed thugs across states to foment violence,” Ata alleged.

In a counter statement, the NNPP rejected the Ghari/Tsanyawa result, insisting it was manipulated in favour of the APC. Kano State NNPP Chairman, Hon. Hashim Dungurawa, accused INEC of colluding with APC and denying many voters access to polling stations.

“This is unacceptable. Voters were denied their right to cast ballots for NNPP. We reject the Tsanyawa/Ghari result declared at INEC headquarters and demand cancellation of the ten polling units earlier nullified by the Appeal Court,” Dungurawa said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also faulted the conduct of the polls, accusing both APC and NNPP of orchestrating violence. State Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Ado Kibiya, condemned cases of intimidation, thuggery, and voter harassment.

“We are alarmed by reports of violence and intimidation that undermined the democratic process. Such behavior, aimed at bending the process to the advantage of particular interests, is unacceptable,” Kibiya said.

The tense exchanges underscore deepening political rivalry in Kano as parties prepare for future contests.