By Muhammad Ya’u with contributions from Abdullahi Yusuf, Mustapha Muhammad, Kabiru Fulatan, Abbas Ibrahim and Salisu Ibrahim
Recent moves by the Kano State House of Assembly’s to commence impeachment proceeding of Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, is being viewed with skepticism by many, as the House stepped up measures, saying its action is backed by the “Nation’s Constitution”.
While the House of Assembly has the constitutional right to initiate impeachment proceedings, the timing and circumstances surrounding the move have raised concerns about the political motivations behind the move, as Kwankwasiyya Movement of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on its part, said the impeachment process is a politically motivated attempt to wrest control of the state from the opposition.
Already, the move by the State House of Assembly, has sparked palpable political tension and further deepened the gulf of political misunderstanding between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his former “political godfather”, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Checks Naija Team gathered that the allegations against Gwarzo was hinged specifically on issues of “financial impropriety, receiving kickbacks and diverting funds meant for local government administrations”.
On record so far, no fewer than 38 members of the State House of Assembly had signed the notice seeking the impeachment of the Deputy Governor “over the allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust”.
The notice, presented during plenary by the House’s Majority Leader, Hon. Lawan Hussaini, was said to be in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which outlines the procedure for the removal of a deputy governor from office.
While presenting the notice before the House, the lawmaker stated that the impeachment move was based on several allegations relating to Comrade Abdussalam’s conduct while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and later as Deputy Governor.
“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,” the lawmaker said.
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.
The lawmakers claimed that Abdussalam collected about N1.5 million monthly from each council, amounting to about N66 million per month and a total of N462 million within the seven-month period.
The notice also alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received additional payments totalling N726 million under the guise of executing special assignments for the councils.
The legislators further accused the deputy governor of abusing his office by allegedly facilitating the release of N440 million from the 44 local government councils in the state to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited in violation of the state procurement and fiscal management laws.
The Assembly said the allegations collectively amount to gross misconduct and resolved that the deputy governor be impeached and removed from office in line with the constitutional provisions.
However, Kwankwasiyya Movement a franchise umbrella of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s political group have “rubbished” the position of the Assembly, describing the allegations as nothing but “a wild goose chase” which has no basis in the life span of Constitutional provisions.
Kwankwasiyya Movement who are supporters of the deputy governor argued that these allegations are being used as a pretext for his removal, given his refusal to follow Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Movement, therefore, cautioned the Kano State House of Assembly and the Kano State Government against proceeding with moves to impeach the deputy governor, warning that such action could deepen political divisions in the State and undermine the mandate of the people.
In a statement issued on Friday, spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr Habibu Saleh, described the impeachment process as troubling and cautioned political actors in the state against actions that could be perceived as politically motivated.
“The people of Kano are closely watching the unfolding events, and there is growing concern that the impeachment move may be driven more by political considerations than by genuine constitutional necessity,” Saleh said.
He noted that while the constitution provides mechanisms for legislative oversight, impeachment remains one of the most serious powers available to lawmakers and should not be deployed for political convenience.
“Impeachment must never be reduced to a tool for settling political disagreements or rearranging political alignments. It must be guided strictly by justice, fairness and the interest of the people,” he said.
The spokesperson reminded the state leadership that the mandate that brought the present administration to power was the result of the collective efforts of thousands of Kwankwasiyya supporters across Kano.
“The victory that produced this government was not the achievement of any single individual. It was the product of the sacrifices, loyalty and unity of Kwankwasiyya faithful across the 44 local governments of Kano State,” he said.
According to him, any action that appears to target key figures within the administration risks sending the wrong message to supporters who worked tirelessly to secure electoral victory.
“Those in power must remember the collective struggle that made their success possible. Political authority should never be used in a way that creates the impression of abandoning the alliances and loyalties that built the movement,” he said.
He also urged members of the Assembly to exercise their constitutional responsibilities with caution and independence.
“The authority of the Assembly comes directly from the people, and such authority must be exercised with wisdom, fairness and a clear sense of responsibility to the electorate,” he said.
Saleh warned that political actions perceived as persecution could create unnecessary tension within the state’s political landscape.
“History has shown that when political power is used in ways that appear unjust or vindictive, the people ultimately deliver their verdict through democratic means,” he said.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement, he added, remains committed to peace, democratic stability and the protection of the political mandate given by the people of Kano.
“At this critical moment, all political actors must act with restraint and wisdom, remembering the sacrifices of the millions of supporters whose collective efforts brought this government into office,” he said.
The Movement denied that Comrade Gwarzo had acted without any prior approval of the money in question – N1.1 Billion, citing the Governor’s approval in the document.
The Movement in a letter seeking the approval of the said amount and written by the ALGON to the office of the Commissioner Local Governments and Chieftaincy affairs who is incidentally the State Deputy Governor on May 2024, said that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had indeed approved the money on the 10/6/2024 for the execution of some jobs across the State’s 44 Local Government Areas.
It said that on 15th April 2024, the State Branch of the Association of Local Governments, ALGON wrote a request letter to the office of the Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam who was then the Commissioner Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs seeking the approval of N1.1 Billion for the repairs of Boreholes and hands pump plus supply of Medicine to the 44 Local Governments of the State.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement therefore cautioned against using impeachment as a tool for settling political scores, emphasizing the need for fairness and justice.
Checks Naija reports that what remains to be seen, is wether the now APC-controlled Assembly can prove how the embattled Deputy Governor had received kickbacks, and diverted funds meant for the 44 local government areas.
As the nation awaits the House’s further action, the outcome of the House’s constitutional proceeding will determine how it will turn out to be a justified action that’s backed by the law, or turn out to be a political vendetta as claimed by the Kwankwasiyya Movement.