Political Crisis Deepens in Kano Following Governor's Defection to APC
A significant political crisis has erupted in Kano State following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's defection from the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), creating intense pressure on his deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to immediately resign from office. The deputy governor's refusal to follow his principal's political move has triggered widespread speculation about possible impeachment proceedings and exposed deep divisions within the state's administration.
Mounting Pressure on Deputy Governor Gwarzo
Senior government officials and lawmakers loyal to Governor Yusuf have intensified discussions about initiating impeachment proceedings should Deputy Governor Gwarzo refuse to voluntarily resign his position. The political standoff has created an atmosphere of uncertainty within both the executive and legislative arms of government, with loyalty tests becoming a dominant theme in Kano's political discourse. This development marks a critical moment in the state's governance structure, potentially affecting policy implementation and administrative continuity.
Commissioner Advocates for Honourable Exit
Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, publicly addressed the situation for the first time during a live radio programme, suggesting that it would be honourable for the deputy governor to step aside if he could no longer align politically with Governor Yusuf. "What we are hoping for, just as we saw with some commissioners who felt uncomfortable and resigned, is that the deputy governor should also take an honourable step if he is no longer on the same political path with the governor," Waiya stated during the broadcast.
The commissioner emphasized that governance fundamentally relies on trust, warning that political divergence at the highest level of government could undermine effective administration. "If you sit in an Executive Council meeting where people are discussing how to build Kano and there is suspicion about where such discussions may end up, then there is a problem. Governance is about trust," Waiya added, highlighting the deputy governor's concurrent role as commissioner for higher education.
Deputy Governor's Loyalty to Kwankwasiyya Movement
Deputy Governor Gwarzo has chosen to remain aligned with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the NNPP and the influential Kwankwasiyya Movement, rather than following Governor Yusuf to the APC. A senior aide in the deputy governor's office, speaking anonymously, revealed that Gwarzo is not prepared to resign unless specifically directed by Senator Kwankwaso. "Honestly, he is not going to resign. He is waiting for Kwankwaso's directive. He has been advised by people close to him to resign, but he is waiting for his godfather's instruction," the aide disclosed.
NNPP Rejects Resignation Calls
The interim leadership of the NNPP in Kano State has strongly condemned calls for the deputy governor's resignation, insisting that he remains a bona fide member of the party and a crucial component of the administration. In an official statement signed by its publicity secretary, Engr Ibrahim Karaye, the party stressed that Gwarzo was elected on a joint ticket with Governor Yusuf and is constitutionally entitled to remain in office. "The NNPP reaffirms the deputy governor's right to occupy his position and his critical role in governance," the statement declared.
Assembly Clarifies Impeachment Status
The Kano State House of Assembly has clarified that it is not currently considering any impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor. Assembly spokesman Kamal Shawai informed journalists that the House is currently on recess and will not resume plenary until February. "No formal communication or motion on impeachment has been presented before the House," Shawai stated. "If any such matter arises, it will only be considered when the Assembly reconvenes."
Historical Precedent and Current Context
This political crisis echoes a similar episode from August 2018 when Professor Hafiz Abubakar resigned as deputy governor following a breakdown in relations with then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, amid moves by the House of Assembly to impeach him. The current situation unfolds against the backdrop of Governor Yusuf recently securing federal government approval for a ₦1 trillion Metropolitan Rail Service project in Kano state, described as a major infrastructural initiative aimed at overhauling urban transportation and driving economic growth in the metropolitan area.
Commissioner Waiya downplayed the significance of several commissioners resigning following the governor's defection, describing their exits as inconsequential to governance. He emphasized that commissioners overseeing key ministries remain firmly aligned with Governor Yusuf, stating that claims of administrative instability are "either ignorant or deliberately misleading." The political landscape in Kano continues to evolve as competing loyalties and ambitions shape the state's governance trajectory.
