By John Umeh
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has resigned from office following mounting political pressure and an impending impeachment move by the Kano State House of Assembly.
The resignation was confirmed on Friday in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammad. According to the statement, Gwarzo stepped down in the interest of peace, political stability, and effective governance in the state.
The movement clarified that the deputy governor’s decision to resign should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing. Instead, it described the move as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to maintaining stability in Kano.
The statement noted that recent developments had limited the deputy governor’s ability to fully discharge the responsibilities of his office, making it necessary for him to vacate the position to allow governance to continue without disruption.
Despite stepping down, Gwarzo maintained his innocence, insisting that his public service record reflects integrity and dedication to the people of Kano State. He also announced plans to focus on strengthening the Kwankwasiyya Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections, including rebuilding party structures and engaging in political realignments.
Prior to his resignation, Gwarzo had approached the Federal High Court in Kano, seeking to halt the impeachment process initiated by the state assembly. However, in a ruling, Justice S.M. Shaibu declined to grant the interim injunction, stating that the applicant failed to meet the legal requirements for such relief.
The court subsequently directed that the respondents be served with court documents and adjourned the case to April 16, 2026, for further hearing.
The impeachment proceedings were initiated after 38 lawmakers, largely from the All Progressives Congress, signed a notice accusing the deputy governor of financial misconduct and abuse of office. The motion was moved by the Majority Leader, Lawan Husaini, representing Dala constituency.
The lawmakers cited Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which outlines procedures for removing a deputy governor.
According to the allegations, Gwarzo was accused of collecting kickbacks from the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024. Lawmakers claimed he received about ₦1.5 million monthly from each council, amounting to roughly ₦66 million per month and a total of ₦462 million during the period.
The notice further alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received an additional ₦726 million under the guise of executing special assignments for the councils.
He was also accused of facilitating the release of ₦440 million from the councils to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited, allegedly in violation of procurement and financial regulations.
The development marks a significant political shift in Kano State, as Gwarzo’s resignation brings an abrupt end to the impeachment process while setting the stage for fresh political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
