Residents of Shanono/Bagwai Demand Urgent Action from INEC After Prolonged Delay in Bye-Election

Nine months after the untimely death of Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila, the representative of Shanono/Bagwai Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, the constituency remains without a legislator, raising concerns about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) commitment to its constitutional obligations.

Under the Nigerian constitution, INEC is required to conduct a bye-election within 90 days of the death of a legislator, but residents of Shanono and Bagwai are still waiting for the election to be held, and their frustration grows daily.

“This prolonged delay has left Shanono/Bagwai in limbo,” said Ammar Wakili Shanono, spokesperson for the Chairman of Shanono Local Government Council. He expressed concern over the negative impact the absence of a representative has had on the community, stating, “The failure of INEC to conduct the bye-election has created a vacuum that directly affects the well-being of our community.”

According to Wakili Shanono, some vital community needs were not included in the 2025 budget because the constituency lacks representation in the state assembly. He urgently called on INEC to conduct the bye-election as required by law to restore proper representation for the people.

The effects of this neglect are visible in various sectors: abandoned infrastructure projects, unresolved issues in education and healthcare, and increasing youth unemployment. Many residents feel that their basic right to governance is being denied.

While political parties are preparing for the upcoming bye-election, uncertainty about the timeline has left their campaigns in a state of paralysis. With mounting pressure on INEC to act, Shanono and Bagwai residents are left wondering when their constituency will finally have the representation they are entitled to.

Although efforts to contact INEC officials in Kano regarding the cause of the delay were unsuccessful, a source within the office, who requested anonymity, revealed that preparations for the bye-election are well underway. According to the source, the election is scheduled to take place on January 18, 2025, after consultations with key stakeholders in the coming week.