Kano State House of Assembly Launches Impeachment Process Against Deputy Governor
The Kano State House of Assembly has taken a significant step by initiating impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo. This move comes in response to serious allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and a breach of public trust.
The notice of impeachment was formally presented on the floor of the Assembly by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala. He emphasized that the action was in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). According to Dala, the impeachment notice includes multiple allegations tied to Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as his current role as deputy governor.
Dala outlined several charges, including the diversion of local government funds, abuse of office, and other actions deemed impeachable under the constitution. He alleged that while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and overseeing the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils, the deputy governor participated in the misappropriation of funds meant for local government operations.
Financial Mismanagement Allegations
According to the majority leader, between June 2023 and January 2024, Gwarzo allegedly received a kickback of N1.5 million from each of the 44 local government areas monthly. This arrangement reportedly amounted to N66 million every month for seven months, totaling N462 million. Dala stated this constituted a breach of public trust and undermined confidence in public governance.
He further alleged that between February and July 2024, Gwarzo received additional payments from the local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments. The payments were said to amount to N3.255 million monthly from each local government, bringing the total to about N726 million over the six-month period. Dala claimed these payments violated the principles of transparency and accountability expected of a public officer.
Abuse of Office and Procurement Violations
The impeachment notice also accuses Gwarzo of abuse of office. Dala stated that during his tenure as commissioner, Gwarzo allegedly used his position to facilitate payments of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils to a pharmaceutical company, NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited. This transaction, which allegedly totaled N440 million, was carried out in contravention 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, taken together, amount to gross misconduct within the meaning of Section 188(2) of the constitution.
Dala explained that gross misconduct includes grave violations of constitutional provisions or other serious wrongdoing by a public office holder. He emphasized that the alleged diversion of local government funds and abuse of office represented a fundamental breach of constitutional norms and ethical standards expected from public officials.
Legal Requirements and Next Steps
The majority leader informed the Assembly that the impeachment notice was endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional requirement for initiating the process. He urged the Speaker to approve the transmission of the notice to the deputy governor as required by law.
‘Based on the foregoing allegations, we hereby resolve that His Excellency, Aminu Abdussalam, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, be impeached and removed from office in accordance with the provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ Dala said.
Following the presentation, members of the Assembly indicated their support for the notice. The Speaker subsequently acknowledged receipt of the document and is expected to communicate the allegations to the deputy governor in line with constitutional procedures for impeachment.
Under the constitution, once the notice is served, the House may proceed to request the Chief Judge of the state to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations if the motion is supported by the required majority of lawmakers.
The deputy governor has yet to publicly respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
