Kano Politics: Where Assembly Seats Are A Family Affair

An unusual political transition unfolded in Kano State after the deaths of two lawmakers, Hon. Aminu Sa’ad of Ungogo and Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji of Kano Municipal. In this piece, LONGTONG YAKUBU, examines how their sons emerged and won the bye-elections to succeed them.

The deaths of two serving members of the Kano State House of Assembly late last year created a rare political moment that has since produced what many observers describe as a unique transition in the state’s legislative politics, the transfer of Assembly seats from deceased fathers to their sons.

Hon. Aminu Sa’ad, who represented Ungogo Constituency, and Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji of Kano Municipal, both elected on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), reportedly died within hours of each other on December 24, throwing the Assembly and their constituencies into mourning.

The Assembly first announced the passing of Sa’ad, who died after a brief illness. Shortly afterwards, it confirmed the death of Daneji, who was said to have collapsed after receiving news of his colleague’s demise.

Speaker of the House, Jibril Ismail Falgore, described the incident as a monumental loss to the Assembly and the people they represented, noting that the deaths occurred at a critical time for the legislature.

The tragic development created two vacancies in the House and triggered political consultations on how to fill the seats.

In the immediate aftermath, the leadership of the NNPP, under its national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, approved the nomination of the deceased lawmakers’ sons — Sa’ad Aminu Sa’ad and Nabil Aliyu Daneji — to contest the bye-elections.

The party’s then State Chairman, Hashim Dungurawa, explained that the decision followed consultations aimed at honouring the late legislators’ legacies while supporting their families during a period of mourning.

Similarly, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, through its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, described the decision as one guided by compassion and respect for the contributions of the deceased lawmakers.

However, the political dynamics in the state later took a dramatic turn following the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The two sons subsequently left the NNPP and contested the bye-elections on the APC platform.

Despite the change in party affiliation, Kwankwaso was said to have maintained that the sons should return to the Assembly irrespective of the party platform they eventually used.

The 2023 general election in Kano recorded significant voter participation, with Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies recording impressive turnout.

The available results showed that Kano Municipal recorded about 60,000 votes in the State Assembly contest, while Ungogo recorded more than 70,000.

At the conclusion of the bye-elections, Nabil Aliyu Daneji of the APC polled 7,484 votes to emerge the winner in Kano Municipal Constituency. In Ungogo Constituency, Sa’ad Aminu Sa’ad secured 8,975 votes to clinch victory.

Their victories marked the return of the late lawmakers’ families to the Assembly, this time through the younger generation.

Before his death, Hon. Aminu Sa’ad was regarded as an experienced administrator and legislator. Born on October 13, 1963, in Ungogo Local Government Area, he attended Bayero University, Kano, where he studied History Education and graduated in 1989.

He had a long career in the civil service, rising to the position of Director of Personnel Management in the Ministry of Local Government before venturing into politics.

He later served as a member of the Kano State House of Assembly in the 9th and 10th legislatures.

At the Assembly, he chaired the House Committee on Appropriations, where he played a prominent role in legislative oversight of the state budget.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Husseini Lawan Dala, described Sa’ad as a hardworking and knowledgeable legislator who contributed immensely to the Assembly’s legislative activities.

According to him, Sa’ad brought his administrative experience into legislative work and played key roles in lawmaking and deliberations in the House.

“He was a very hardworking person, vocal and knowledgeable, with vast experience in administration and legislative affairs. He contributed immensely to the enactment of several laws and participated actively in seminars and conferences,” he said.

The Majority Leader added that Sa’ad’s death created a vacuum in the Assembly, describing him as a visionary legislator whose contributions would be difficult to replace.

The second lawmaker, Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji, was born on 22 November 1960 in the Daneji Quarters of the Kano Municipal Local Government Area.

After completing his basic education, he obtained a National Diploma in 1983 and a Higher National Diploma in 1986, and later earned a postgraduate diploma in 2004.

During his time in the Assembly, Daneji served in several leadership capacities. He chaired the House Committee on Hajj and served as Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Tourism.

He was also a member of the committees on Agriculture, Judiciary and Transport.

Colleagues described him as a friendly, open-minded legislator who contributed to maintaining unity and cooperation among Assembly members.

The two lawmakers left behind political legacies that their sons have now stepped in to continue.

Nabil Aliyu Daneji, who succeeded his father in Kano Municipal Constituency, is a Management Information Systems professional with international academic exposure. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Sudan International University in Khartoum.

Before entering politics, he worked in the private sector, including as Head of Control and IT Department at Treztech Limited and Splendor360 Limited, where he handled IT infrastructure, compliance systems and operational controls.

He also holds several professional certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Quality Assurance and Quality Control, and Certified Management Information Systems. He is currently pursuing the Chartered Accountancy qualification with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Similarly, Sa’ad Aminu Sa’ad, who succeeded his father in Ungogo Constituency, brings a background in environmental management and regulatory compliance.

Born on January 26, 1994, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management from Kampala University, Uganda. Prior to his election, he worked as a Quality Control and Inspection Officer with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria in Katsina State.

In that role, he was involved in inspecting products and facilities to ensure compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards, monitoring manufacturing outfits and preparing compliance reports.

The emergence of the two young lawmakers has sparked conversations about political inheritance in Nigeria’s democratic space.

While some see the development as an example of a political dynasty, others view it as a gesture of respect for the late legislators’ legacies and a reflection of the political goodwill their families enjoy in their constituencies.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, the two young politicians formally assumed their fathers’ seats in the Kano State House of Assembly after being sworn in during plenary presided over by Speaker Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Their inauguration followed their victories in the bye-elections conducted to fill the vacancies created by the deaths of their fathers.

During the brief swearing-in ceremony, the Speaker administered the oath of office and allegiance, officially ushering Nabil Aliyu Daneji and Sa’ad Aminu Sa’ad into the 10th Assembly.

Speaking shortly after taking the oath, Sa’ad Aminu Sa’ad, who now represents Ungogo Constituency, pledged to sustain the legacy of service established by his late father while working to attract development to his constituency.

Similarly, Nabil Aliyu Daneji, the new representative for Kano Municipal Constituency, described his election as a huge responsibility entrusted to him by the people.

He said that, with God’s guidance and the support of his constituents, he would work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in him and contribute meaningfully to the development of the constituency.