The Kano State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, following allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office and financial impropriety amounting to about ₦1.6 billion.
The move was initiated during plenary when the Assembly’s Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, presented a formal impeachment notice outlining several accusations against the deputy governor.
Dala explained that the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which provides the legal framework for removing a governor or deputy governor from office over allegations of gross misconduct.
According to the Majority Leader, many of the allegations are linked to Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, when he oversaw the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils.
He alleged that during that period, the deputy governor received monthly kickbacks of ₦1.5 million from each of the local government areas.
The arrangement, he said, allegedly generated about ₦66 million every month, bringing the total to roughly ₦462 million between June 2023 and January 2024.
Dala further claimed that between February and July 2024, additional payments were made to Gwarzo by the councils under the pretext of executing special assignments.
He said the payments amounted to ₦3.255 million monthly from each council, resulting in about ₦726 million within six months.
The Majority Leader argued that the alleged transactions represent a breach of public trust and raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
He also accused the deputy governor of abusing his office in connection with a financial transaction involving NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.
According to Dala, while serving as commissioner, Gwarzo allegedly facilitated payments of ₦10 million each from the 44 local government councils to the pharmaceutical company.
The payments, which reportedly totalled about ₦440 million, were said to have been made in violation of the state’s procurement and financial regulations.
“The misuse of official authority to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the responsibilities of public office,” Dala told lawmakers while presenting the impeachment notice.
He maintained that the allegations collectively amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution, which includes serious violations of constitutional provisions or actions considered incompatible with the duties of a public office holder.
Dala further disclosed that the impeachment notice was endorsed by 38 lawmakers, exceeding the constitutional requirement needed to initiate the process.
With the required support secured, he urged the Speaker to approve the transmission of the notice to the deputy governor in accordance with due process.
“Based on the foregoing allegations, we hereby resolve that His Excellency, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, be impeached and removed from office in accordance with the provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution,” the Majority Leader said.
Following the presentation, several members of the Assembly expressed support for the impeachment process.
The Speaker acknowledged receipt of the notice and is expected to formally communicate the allegations to the deputy governor as required by the constitution.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions, once the notice is served and supported by the required number of lawmakers, the Assembly may request the Chief Judge of the state to constitute an investigative panel to examine the allegations.
The panel will be tasked with determining the validity of the claims before the Assembly can proceed with the final stage of the impeachment process.
As of the time of filing this report, Gwarzo had yet to issue any public response to the allegations.
The development has drawn significant political attention within the state, as the unfolding impeachment process could have major implications for the leadership structure of the Kano State government if it proceeds to its conclusion.
Kano Assembly Moves to Impeach Gwarzo Over Alleged N1.6bn Misconduct
