Kano Assembly initiates deputy gov impeachment amid political realignment

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The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, citing allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.

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The move comes amid heightened political tensions following Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress.

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The motion was presented by the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Lawal Dala, during plenary presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore.

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Reading the notice on the floor, Dala said the action was taken in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), which empowers a state legislature to commence impeachment proceedings against a deputy governor over allegations of gross misconduct.

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According to the notice, Gwarzo allegedly breached public trust while serving as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024.

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Lawmakers claimed he received kickbacks of N1.5m monthly from each of the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024, amounting to N66m per month and a total of N462m during the seven-month period.

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The Assembly further alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received additional cash returns of N3.255m monthly from each local government council under the guise of executing special assignments, bringing the total alleged amount received during the period to N726m.

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The notice also accused Gwarzo of facilitating the release of N10m from each of the 44 local government councils, totalling N440m, to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited in an alleged violation of the Kano State Public Procurement Law and Fiscal Management regulations.

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The lawmakers described these acts as gross misconduct and a contravention of constitutional provisions and ethical standards expected of public officials.

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Following the presentation of the motion, Speaker Falgore directed that a formal notice be served on the deputy governor in line with constitutional provisions governing impeachment procedures.

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Confirming the development to The PUNCH, the Chief Press Secretary of the Assembly, Kamaludde Sani, said the motion was read to members, adding that the deputy governor had been given two weeks to respond or risk facing impeachment proceedings.

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He added, “This is a serious matter that requires the deputy governor to either clear his name or face the full weight of the law.”

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Efforts to obtain a reaction from the deputy governor were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as multiple calls to his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Shuaibu, went unanswered.

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Also, efforts to get the state chapter of the NNPP to react were unsuccessful.

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The motion followed weeks after Yusuf’s defection to the APC, triggering political realignments across the state.

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Several commissioners resigned from the cabinet, reaffirming loyalty to the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement led by the former governor, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso.

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The commissioners included Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umar (retd.), Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services; Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development; Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Mata, Commissioner for Science and Technology; Dr Adamu Kibiya, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and Nasiru Sani Garo, Commissioner for Special Projects.

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Gwarzo, however, refused to join the governor in defecting to the APC.

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