Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, spokesperson for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, governorship candidate in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, says the controversy over the removal and subsequent restoration of his principal’s name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list has increased the party’s popularity.

Shuaibu made this known on Friday while reacting to INEC’s decision to restore Gwarzo’s name ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He said the party was never worried about the initial omission because it was confident that it had followed all the necessary electoral procedures.

According to him, the development was only a temporary challenge that the party expected would be resolved.

“We were not frightened because we followed all the laid-down procedures from party membership to the nomination process and submission of our candidate’s details,” he said.

Shuaibu further claimed that the controversy had attracted public sympathy and encouraged more people to support the party.

“What the electoral commission intended as a setback has actually worked in our favour. It has increased our supporters, strengthened our popularity and made more people identify with us,” he said.

He added that the NDC would continue its campaign and grassroots mobilisation across Kano State while promoting its plans and policies to voters.

The spokesperson expressed confidence that the development would improve the party’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.

INEC restored Gwarzo’s name following public controversy over its earlier omission from the list of candidates for the forthcoming election.

2027: INEC controversy has made NDC more popular in Kano – Gwarzo’s aide

Former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has been appointed Spokesperson and Director of Contacts and Mobilisation of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, governorship campaign council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Vatsa recently defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the SDP.

The SDP governorship candidate, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, SAN, announced the appointments in a letter personally signed by him and made available to journalists in Minna on Friday.

The appointments came barely 48 hours after Vatsa defected from the APC to the SDP alongside more than 200 supporters.

Ndarani described Vatsa, a former pioneer Publicity Secretary of the APC in Niger State, as an outspoken politician with considerable grassroots influence, media experience and mobilisation capacity.

He said the former commissioner's political experience and communication skills would strengthen the SDP's efforts to challenge the ruling APC in the state in 2027.

"Your appointment is a testament to your towering political profile, fearless advocacy, exceptional oratory, media management skills, profound grassroots penetration and unmatched mobilisation prowess," the letter stated.

The SDP candidate said Vatsa's dual responsibilities as campaign spokesperson and Director of Contacts and Mobilisation were deliberate and strategic, given his experience in media communication and grassroots politics.

Ndarani described him as one of the most fearless, vocal and respected political voices in the state.

"You speak powerfully and you mobilise massively. We need your voice to shape public opinion and your network to deliver the votes," he added.

As campaign spokesperson, Vatsa is expected to communicate the party's five-point agenda to voters and serve as the official voice of the campaign council.

In his capacity as Director of Contacts and Mobilisation, he will coordinate grassroots campaign activities across the state's 25 local government areas, 247 political wards and 4,950 polling units.

His responsibilities also include mobilising community leaders, traditional institutions and religious organisations, as well as coordinating house-to-house, door-to-door, market-to-market and farm-to-farm campaigns.

Niger: Vatsa appointed SDP campaign spokesperson, days after dumping APC