Stakeholders in Garko Local Government Area of Kano State have expressed disappointment over the absence of some candidates seeking election to the Kano State House of Assembly during a town hall meeting organised by the Garko Youth Progressive Movement (GYPM).
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, members of the Orphans Support Group, youth organisations, health professionals, politicians and professional bodies to interact with aspirants seeking to represent Garko Constituency in the state legislature.
Speaking with journalists at the event, former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma, expressed disappointment that some candidates failed to attend the engagement, describing public interaction as an important responsibility for anyone seeking political office.
Hamma maintained that every leader, irrespective of political position or perceived influence, remains accountable to the people, particularly those entrusted with elected responsibilities.
He stressed that anyone aspiring to provide effective leadership must be willing to listen to the concerns, expectations and demands of the people they seek to represent.
The former SSG’s remarks underscored the importance of direct engagement between political aspirants and constituents, especially as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
Earlier, the Acting Chairman of GYPM, Anas Ibrahim Nabaffa, explained that the town hall meeting was organised to provide all the candidates with an opportunity to present their programmes and interact directly with stakeholders in Garko.
Nabaffa emphasised that the organisers established clear rules to ensure a peaceful and constructive discussion, warning that no candidate would be allowed to disparage, attack or undermine another aspirant.
“We are dismayed that some political office holders shun this meeting despite how we engage with them on the significance of this meeting, they even promised to be here, but now they are nowhere to be found today,” said Anas.
In his remarks, the District Head of Garko, Alhaji Muhammad Aliyu, who also holds the traditional title of Sarkin Sudan, appreciated stakeholders and aspirants who attended the meeting. He urged political actors to avoid inflammatory and derogatory statements against one another during the forthcoming election campaigns.
The District Head, who was represented by the Durbin Sarkin Sudan, Mujahideen Sule Hamma, also warned against political violence, stressing that violence would only bring harm, destruction and possible loss of lives rather than deliver meaningful development to the community.
A major highlight of the meeting was the signing of a peace accord by the participating aspirants, through which they pledged to promote peaceful political engagement and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the forthcoming campaign period.
Among the candidates who attended were Abba Ado of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yahaya Ibrahim Zurgur of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Hassan Muhammad of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Usman Ayuba Ahmed of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Abba Ashiru Ali of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The incumbent member representing Garko Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, Murtala Muhammad Kadage, did not attend personally but sent his Personal Assistant to represent him.
The town hall meeting provided an opportunity for community stakeholders to engage political aspirants on leadership, representation and the development needs of Garko Local Government Area.
The initiative also highlighted growing calls for elected representatives and those seeking public office to remain accessible to their constituents, embrace issue-based campaigns and demonstrate accountability beyond election periods.