Yusuf Nominates Garo as New Deputy Governor After Gwarzo’s Exit

Yusuf Nominates Garo as New Deputy Governor After Gwarzo’s Exit

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has nominated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor of Kano State following the resignation of Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, who said the nomination has been forwarded to the Kano State House of Assembly for approval.

Gwarzo’s exit comes after a prolonged political rift with the governor, which deepened following his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress. He later aligned with the African Democratic Congress amid mounting political pressure.

His resignation followed the commencement of impeachment proceedings by the State Assembly.

The statement noted that Garo’s nomination was made in line with Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers a governor to appoint a replacement where a vacancy exists in the office of deputy governor.

“Following wide consultations with key stakeholders, the governor has requested the Assembly to grant the necessary approval for the nomination,” the statement said.

Muhammad described the nominee as an experienced political administrator with over two decades of service in both elective and appointed roles.

Garo, 48, has previously served as State Organising Secretary of his party, Special Adviser to the governor, and Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area.

He also held positions as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and was the deputy governorship candidate of the APC in the 2023 general elections.

The government said the nomination is part of efforts to strengthen governance and ensure continuity in service delivery across the state.

The House of Assembly is expected to consider the nomination in the coming days.