Kano Assembly moves to impeach deputy gov

The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

The lawmakers are accusing the deuty governor of gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.

The impeachment notice was read during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, while the Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini Dala, formally presented the document on the floor of the House.

Recall that when the state governor defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, the deputy governor refused to follow him and also refused to resign.

According to the notice, the action was taken in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which empowers state assemblies to initiate impeachment proceedings against a deputy governor over alleged misconduct.

Reading the notice, Dala said the Assembly accused Abdulsalam Gwarzo of breaching public trust while serving as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024.

The lawmakers alleged that between June 2023 and January 2024, Abdulsalam received kickbacks of N1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 local government councils in the state, amounting to N66 million per month and a total of N462 million within seven months.

The notice further alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received additional cash returns of N3.255 million monthly from each local government under the guise of executing special assignments, bringing the total amount allegedly received during the period to N726 million.

The Assembly also accused Abdulsalam of abusing his office by facilitating the release of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils, totaling N440 million, to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited in violation of the Kano State Public Procurement Law and Fiscal Management regulations.

Lawmakers said the alleged actions constituted abuse of office and gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution.

A total of 38 members of the Assembly reportedly signed the impeachment notice.

The Speaker directed that the notice be formally served on the deputy governor in line with constitutional procedures for impeachment.