Three major opposition political parties are missing on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ballot for the by-election holding today in Kano.
The opposition parties missing in action are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and coalition of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
INEC has declared readiness to conduct free and credible by-election in two state constituencies of Municipal and Ungogo holding in the state.
The by-election election to fill the two vacant seats in the state house of assembly became necessary following the passing of the former lawmakers last year.
Although, the INEC resident electoral commissioner in Kano, Amb. Abdul Zango told journalists at recent briefing that all the political parties are taking party in the election, the final table release of candidates indicated on the contrary.
According to the release, candidates of 9 political parties, excluding PDP, NNPP and ADC, boldly listed to contest in the off-season election.
The parties taking part in the election, according to INEC are Accord A, Action Democratic Party ADP, Action Peoples Party APP, African Action Congress AAC, All Progressives Congress APC, Allied Peoples Movement APM, Peoples Redemption Party PRP, Young Progressives Party YPP and Zenith Labour Party ZLP.
While the commission remain silent why the major oppositions are not participating in the election, the parties have accused INEC of deliberately denied them the latitude to exercise their constitution rights.
The Guardian gathered that three factions of NNPP submitted six different candidates for the two constituencies. Yet, PDP and ADC refused to field candidates in the contest.
Reacting to the development, the Boniface-led faction of NNPP Senator Mushud El-Jibril Doguwa accused INEC of disqualified their candidate for selfish reason.
Doguwa who lamented that while the party submitted candidates for the constituencies INEC has failed to recognize the NNPP. He vowed to institute legal action against INEC.
Efforts to reach the Kwankwasiyya and Abdullahi Abiya led factions failed as both chairmen could not be reached on phones.
On his part, state PDP Chairman Alh. Yusuf Kibiya also accused INEC of violation of electoral action.
According to Kibiya, while the party was ready to take part, INEC only gave four days to conduct primaries and submit names of candidates.
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