The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Hussain Yusuf-Datti of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the Dawakin Kudu constituency by-election in Kano State. The Returning Officer, Professor Ibrahim Tajo-Suraj, declared the result on Saturday in Dawakin Kudu.
By-elections in Nigeria often produce lopsided results. In 2023, several by-elections recorded landslide victories for ruling parties. In 2024, the pattern continued. Low turnout and strong party machinery favour incumbents. The Dawakin Kudu result follows that trend. The APC controls Kano State. The party’s dominance in the constituency was not in doubt. The margin, however, is notable.
Yusuf-Datti polled 22,890 votes. His closest opponent, Habib Hamisu of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), scored 270 votes. Abdullahi Adamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 108 votes. Bala Mohammed-Sani of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) secured 89 votes. Aliyu Abdullahi of the All Peoples Party (APP) scored 53 votes. Abubakar Yahya-Mohammed of the Labour Party (LP) had 39 votes.
The margin is overwhelming. The APC candidate won by more than 22,000 votes. The opposition parties were effectively marginalised. The result raises questions. Was the turnout low? Were opposition agents present? Did voters have a genuine choice? The figures suggest a one-sided contest. The PRP, which has a presence in Kano, managed only 270 votes. The PDP, a former ruling party, polled 108. These numbers suggest either voter apathy or a constrained political environment.
The by-election followed the restriction of movement imposed by the Kano Police Command. Only essential workers were allowed to move. VIP escorts were barred from polling units. Quasi-security outfits were excluded. The measures were intended to ensure peace. They may also have suppressed turnout.
Winners: The APC, which retains the seat. Yusuf-Datti, who becomes a lawmaker. INEC, which conducted the poll. Losers: Opposition parties, which were routed. Voters who stayed home, whose interests are decided by a small minority. Democracy, which suffers when margins are this wide. The PRP and PDP, which face internal questions.
Bottom Line: The APC won by 22,620 votes. The opposition polled fewer than 600 combined. The result is a landslide. It is also a warning. When opposition parties cannot mobilise, democracy is diminished. Kano voters will decide if this matters in 2027.