Kano Governor Accuses Former Deputy of Secret Plot to Unseat Him
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has publicly accused his former deputy, Aminu Abdussalam, of allegedly orchestrating a secret plot to remove him from office and seize control of the state's leadership. The governor made these serious allegations during a meeting with a group of praise singers, known as Mawallafan Abba Gida Gida, at the Government House in Kano on Thursday.
Governor Details Allegations of Betrayal
Speaking at the gathering, Yusuf expressed his dismay over the situation, stating that he has not yet received any formal resignation letter from Abdussalam. He insisted that his administration had done nothing to provoke such a move, framing it as an unwarranted act of disloyalty. "Today, the deputy governor who came with us on the same ticket is no longer with us. Nobody offended him. In fact, I have not even seen his resignation letter, what concerns me with it?" Yusuf remarked. He further alleged that Abdussalam's actions were driven by a desire to usurp his position, but divine intervention prevented it from succeeding.
Resignation Amid Impeachment Tensions
This development follows Abdussalam's resignation, which occurred amidst moves by the Kano State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against him. The lawmakers later withdrew the impeachment process after his resignation, effectively diffusing the immediate political standoff. However, Yusuf's recent comments suggest that underlying tensions and suspicions persist within the state's political landscape.
Questions Over Deputy's Political Fate
Governor Yusuf also raised concerns about the political treatment of his former deputy within the Kwankwasiyya movement, implying that Abdussalam may have been sidelined despite his ambitions. "The deputy governor who left, hoping to secure that ticket, what did he do wrong? Why not give him the ticket? Is that not a betrayal of him?" he questioned, highlighting perceived injustices within the movement's internal dynamics.
Defense of NNPP Exit and Criticism of Party Decisions
In addition to addressing the deputy governor issue, Yusuf defended his recent departure from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He argued that his decision was made in the best interest of Kano residents, countering accusations of disloyalty from critics. Yusuf pointed out that internal issues within the NNPP, such as a lack of consultation with Kwankwasiyya members, were ignored. "Kwankwasiyya members were not even informed before the decision to leave the NNPP was taken, so were they betrayed or not?" he asked, emphasizing the breakdown in communication and trust.
He added that efforts to resolve disagreements within the party were unsuccessful, leading to his eventual exit. "We saw the direction the party was heading and offered advice, but it was ignored. God showed us the way, and we left because we did not want to put millions of Kano residents in uncertainty," Yusuf stated, underscoring his commitment to stability and governance.
Administration Remains Focused Amid Turmoil
Despite the ongoing political turmoil, Governor Yusuf assured that his administration remains stable and focused on its governance duties. He noted that qualified individuals are already expressing interest in the now-vacant deputy governorship position, indicating a smooth transition. "We will remain here until the day God has destined for us to leave. We are grateful to Him. Now, the deputy governor is gone, and credible individuals are aspiring to the position," he added, projecting confidence in the state's political future.
Criticism of Emerging Political Alignments
Yusuf also criticized new political alignments within the Kwankwasiyya movement, alleging that recent entrants are being favored over long-standing members. "Now, the person who was once our biggest enemy and made things difficult for us during the elections, the same person Ganduje was promoting is the one they are now putting forward. Is that not a betrayal of Kwankwasiyya members?" he queried, pointing to perceived betrayals and shifting loyalties that could impact the movement's cohesion and future direction.
