Kano Assembly Begins Impeachment Move Against Deputy Governor

Kano Assembly Begins Impeachment Move Against Deputy Governor

The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.

The impeachment notice was presented during plenary on Tuesday by the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action was taken in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Dala told lawmakers that the notice contained several allegations linked to Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024 as well as his current position as deputy governor.

According to the majority leader, the allegations include diversion of local government funds, abuse of office and other acts considered impeachable under the constitution.

He alleged that while serving as commissioner and overseeing the affairs of the state’s 44 local government councils, the deputy governor received illegal payments from the councils.

Dala claimed that between June 2023 and January 2024, Gwarzo allegedly received a monthly kickback of N1.5 million from each of the 44 local government areas, amounting to N66 million monthly and a total of about N462 million within seven months.

He further alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received additional payments under the guise of executing special assignments.

According to him, the payments were put at N3.255 million monthly from each council, bringing the total to about N726 million within the six-month period.

The lawmaker also accused Gwarzo of abuse of office, alleging that he used his position as commissioner to facilitate payments of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils to a pharmaceutical firm, NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.

He said the payments, which allegedly amounted to N440 million, were carried out in violation of the state’s procurement and fiscal management laws.

“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” Dala said while presenting the notice.

He added that the allegations collectively amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution.

The majority leader disclosed that the impeachment notice was endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional requirement for initiating the process.

Following the presentation, members of the Assembly indicated support for the move, while the Speaker acknowledged receipt of the notice and is expected to transmit it to the deputy governor in line with constitutional procedures.

Under the constitution, once the notice is served, the House may request the state’s Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations if the motion secures the required majority.

The impeachment move is coming amid heightened political tension in Kano following the recent defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor’s defection triggered a wave of political realignment in the state, with more than 20 members of the state assembly also switching to the APC, giving the ruling party overwhelming control of the legislature.

However, Gwarzo refused to follow the governor to the APC, choosing instead to remain in the NNPP, a decision that created friction within the state government and led to calls from some officials for him to resign.

Political observers had earlier warned that the disagreement between the governor and his deputy could lead to a serious constitutional showdown in the state.

The deputy governor has yet to publicly respond to the impeachment allegations as of the time of filing this report.