The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, was absent from the 38th Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against him by the Kano State House of Assembly.
During the meeting held at the Government House, the governor pledged maximum support and cooperation to the newly elected chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Honourable Umar Haruna Doguwa, and other members of the party’s executive.
Governor Yusuf made the declaration when Doguwa, a former Commissioner for Water Resources, paid a farewell visit to the council following his emergence as the state chairman of the APC.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mustapha Muhammad, Yusuf commended Doguwa for his contributions to the development of the state, particularly in the education sector.
The governor said, “Honourable Umar Haruna Doguwa has contributed immensely to the development of the state. His exit from the Executive Council is emotional, but the position he now holds will take the state to greater heights.”
Earlier, Doguwa expressed confidence in the future of the APC in the state and urged council members to remain loyal to the governor and the party.
“The party is in safe hands. Decamping to APC was the best decision, and we will do everything possible to support the Governor’s reelection bid in the 2027 general election,” he said.
Key council members, including the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, Commissioner for Education Haruna Ali Makoda, and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, also commended Doguwa for what they described as his integrity, dedication and commitment to politics.
However, the meeting was held in the absence of the deputy governor, who is currently facing impeachment proceedings initiated by the Kano State House of Assembly over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.
No fewer than 38 lawmakers reportedly signed the notice of impeachment, which was presented during plenary in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), outlining the process for removing a deputy governor from office.
A member of the Assembly said, “This article of impeachment is a formal notice by the Kano State House of Assembly in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution against Aminu Abdussalam.”
According to the notice, the deputy governor allegedly received kickbacks from the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024, collecting about N1.5 million monthly from each council, amounting to roughly N462 million within seven months.
The lawmakers further alleged that between February and July 2024, Gwarzo received additional payments totaling N726 million under the pretext of executing special assignments for the councils.
The Assembly also accused him of facilitating the release of N440 million to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited in violation of state procurement and fiscal regulations.
Lawmakers described the allegations as constituting gross misconduct and resolved to proceed with the impeachment process in accordance with constitutional provisions.
