A video circulating on social media has sparked controversy after a man identified as Aminu Warkal, said to be the National Democratic Congress (NDC) State House of Assembly candidate for Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, was seen displaying what appeared to be a firearm at a campaign rally.
The incident reportedly occurred during a rally held in support of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Kano over the weekend.
In the video, Warkal, dressed in the red cap associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement, was seen standing on the running board of an SUV while holding what appeared to be a gun in one hand and waving to supporters with the other.
The footage was shared on X on Monday by a user, Emma Ik Umeh, who called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident.
“Is it legal for NDC/Kwankwasiyya supporter to campaign with a gun and allegedly fire it almost three times into the air?” Umeh wrote, tagging the police and urging the authorities to take action.
The video has since generated reactions online, with questions raised over the presence and alleged display of a firearm at a political gathering.
However, it could not be independently established whether the object displayed in the footage was a functional firearm, nor whether Warkal was authorised to possess or carry one.
The development comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and their supporters holding rallies and mobilisation exercises across the country.
Nigeria’s electoral laws place restrictions on the use of force, intimidation and armed groups during political campaigns and rallies.
The Electoral Act also contains provisions prohibiting political parties, candidates and their supporters from employing or organising persons for the display of physical force or coercion in pursuit of political objectives.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the NDC, the candidate or the Nigeria Police Force confirming whether the incident had been reported or whether an investigation had commenced.
