March 30, (THEWILL) — Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, has resigned his position. This is according to a statement issued by the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement wishes to formally inform the general public, the good people of Kano State and the entire nation that Gwarzo has tendered his resignation,” the group said in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed.
Mohammed said the decision, though difficult, was taken in the overall interest of the people and the stability of governance in Kano State.
“Recent circumstances have, to a considerable extent, constrained the full realisation of the benefits and responsibilities attached to the office of the Deputy Governor.
“In view of this, it has become imperative to allow the office to function optimally in the best interest of the public it is meant to serve.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this resignation does not in any way constitute an admission of the allegations raised against him by the Kano State House of Assembly.
“The Deputy Governor maintains his innocence and firmly believes that his records in office and public service remain a testament to his integrity and commitment to the people,” the statement added in part.
Mohammed, who further stated that the deputy governor’s decision was in the interest of Kano State and to allow the office of the Governor to function optimally, also left a footnote on the next step of the Deputy Governor.
He said, “The Deputy Governor has also resolved to dedicate more time and energy to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, particularly in strengthening its structures, rebuilding strategies, and engaging in critical political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election. This effort is aimed at consolidating the movement’s vision of people-oriented leadership, social justice, and sustainable development.”
Coming on the heels of the planned defection of his principal, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, it is believed that the former Deputy Governor will remain in the background and sort out the pending impeachment proceedings filed against him by the Assembly, before making his next political moves clear.
Prior to his expected defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP to the ADC in the coming weeks, Kwankwanso had met with officials of the local chapter of the ADC in Kano and its National Secretary of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Abuja.
THEWILL recalls that Comrade Gwarzo’s resignation also followed the Federal High Court’s refusal of an ex parte application he filed, seeking to stop his impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the state lawmaker.
Comrade Gwarzo had sought an interim injunction to halt the impeachment process, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
Justice M. Shaibu however denied the application for an immediate injunction, ruling that the applicant failed to meet the necessary legal requirements for granting an interim order via an ex parte motion. The court then adjourned the matter until 16 April for further hearing.
The lawmakers served an impeachment notice on the Deputy Governor on March 5, 2025.
The assembly initiated the impeachment proceedings over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust made against Gwarzo.
The lawmakers said they acted following the complaints submitted by the Executive against Comrade Gwarzo over alleged irregularities during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024.
According to them, the notice complies with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The allegations deal with Gwarzo’s activities while overseeing the state’s 44 local government areas.
Other allegations in the impeachment notice to Gwarzo include accusations of diversion of funds meant for local government administrations for personal gain, dating back to June 2023 and January 2024, when he allegedly received kickbacks totalling N462 million over seven months. Then from February 2024 to July 2024, he reportedly received N726 million from local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments. During the same period, he allegedly facilitated the improper release of N440 million to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited, in violation of public procurement laws and state fiscal regulations.
The Assembly stated that his actions constitute gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the Constitution, representing serious breaches of constitutional norms and ethical standards for public office holders. They gave him a 14-day window to present his defence.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement had initially called on the Assembly to withdraw the impeachment proceedings, alleging that it was politically motivated. Chieftains of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, had equally urged the executive and lawmakers to treat softly so as not to throw the politically volatile state into a series of crises that may lead to a breach of the peace.
The deputy governor, a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), declined to join Governor Abba Yusuf and other officials in defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in January. The governor has since then removed from office loyalists of his godfather, Kwankwaso.
His presence in the cabinet is said to have increased the tension within the administration with the likelihood of spilling over into the state’s political landscape
Having weighed the options before him, Comrade Gwarzo is said to have chosen resignation.
Mohammed, however, said the Deputy Governor’s resignation is a demonstration of statesmanship and a commitment to peace, political maturity, and the avoidance of unnecessary tensions that may hinder governance and development in the state.
He urged supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the people of Kano State to remain calm and abide by the law, and be steadfast in their support for the ideals of good governance and democracy.
The latest is his former Chief of Staff and later Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Shehu Wada Shagagi, who was sacked on March 25, 2025.
The former Deputy Governor. The defection of Kwankwaso and his Movement to the ADC in the coming days will clearly define the next step of Comrade Gwarzo whom Mohammed said would remain within the movement to build it towards 2027.
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