From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in Kano state have expressed readiness for the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency by-election in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
The election is scheduled to hold on September 19, 2026, following the vacancy created by the movement of the former state lawmaker representing the constituency to the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency.
The federal constituency by-election became necessary following the death of the former lawmaker, Hassan Danjuma. Subsequently, the then member representing Dawakin Kudu State Constituency contested the federal constituency seat, leaving the state assembly position vacant, which calls for by-election to fill the vacancy.
In the preparations for the upcoming election, the INEC organized Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security on Thursday, where security agencies met to discuss about the conduct of the poll.
Addressing journalists at the INEC headquarters in Kano on Thurssday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Abdu Zango, said the commission had put necessary measures in place to ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent election.
According to him, the meeting deliberated on all issues and level of preparations, including security, logistics and adhoc staff.
Zango disclosed that the security agencies have also briefed the meeting about their level of preparations and assurance about peaceful exercise.
“ We deliberated on all the issues, our level of preparation, the issue of security logistics and so on. We compiled notes with all members, and i want to assure you that we are set. We are set. We are good to go. We are ready. INEC is ready, security agencies are ready.
They have given me a assurance to provide all the necessary security to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful election.
“ I want to call on all there citizens of the local government to come out en mass to exercise their franchise during the election. INEC will give them all the necessary cooperation.
“They did so before when INEC conducted election in Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency. It was an excellent election. Very good outcome. No problem whatsoever. No security challenges, technology work. It was a very good election. We are going to do the same or even better,” he said.
The REC also disclosed that the commission had already deployed non sensitive materials to the affected area for onward distribution on the eve of the election.
He also stated that about 2,000 ad-hoc staff had been engaged to participate in the election exercise.
Spaking on behalf of the security agencies, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori said they converged to brief the INEC and emphasize on their level of preparedness.
Bakori, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lawal Isa Mani said they were at the meeting to synergize with sister security agencies on how to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.
He announced that the Police would impose restrictions of movement of people at the affected area, adding that the curfew would be between 6am and 2pm when the voters might have finishing casting votes.
He restated the commitment of the Police command to work in tandem with other security agencies for the smooth conduct of the election.
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