*Garo, Takai, Falgore Tipped As Jostle For Replacement Begins
THE New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has condemned impeachment move against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, describing it as “legislative rascality” aimed at taking away the people’s mandate through the backdoor.
Recall that in January this year, Governor Abba Yusuf defected from the NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” in the party, insisting the decision was taken “in the best interest of the people of Kano State” to promote unity, stability and accelerated development across the state.
However, Gwarzo declined to defect with Yusuf, opting to remain with the NNPP, a decision that has pitched him against Yusuf, and indeed been attending NNPP meetings with the party’s national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso..
Back then, there were speculations that the Assembly, propped by the governor, might move against him.
Despite the reported move, spokesperson of the Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, denied the impeachment plot, describing the reports as unfounded and lacking in merit.
However, during plenary on Thursday, March 5, the Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Gwarzo, accusing him of gross misconduct, abuse of office, breach of public trust and financial malfeasance.
Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who read the notice of impeachment, alleged that Gwarzo, while serving as commissioner for Local Government, “wilfully participated in the diversion of funds allocated to local government administrations for purposes other than those for which they were appropriated.
“Thus, between June 2023 and January 2024, he received a kickback of N1.5million from each of the 44 local governments monthly, amounting to N66million per month, for seven months and totalling N462million for personal or improper benefit.”
These, he stated, constituted a breach of public trust, undermining the integrity of the office and eroding confidence in public governance.
He said the action followed a petition submitted by the Executive against over alleged irregularities during his tenure as between 2023 and 2024.
He said the deputy governor has 14-day to present his defence, adding that the motion has significant support of 38 out of the 40 lawmakers, well above the required two-thirds majority.
However, National Publicity of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, in a statement on Thursday, March 5, said the party was not surprised by “the desperate antics” of the assembly, calling it “the dying kick of a political class that has lost its soul.”
Johnson said Gwarzo “is being persecuted” for refusing to join the “bandwagon of those who have betrayed the sacred mandate given by the people of Kano,” noting: “He has chosen the path of honour, staying true to Kano voters and the party, while others have fled to the ruling party in a shameful display of political opportunism.”
The party described the impeachment move as a “classic symptom of the atavistic and cannibalistic democracy,” which, it said, the law is weaponised to devour the very people it should protect, adding: “They are not hunting a man; they are hunting the mandate of the people of Kano. We see this so-called impeachment process for what it is.
“It is a transparent attempt to pave the way for the complete APC takeover of a mandate they could not win at the polls or through the courts. It is a political execution disguised as a constitutional process.”
NNPP restated its support for Gwarzo and the people of the state, urging them to remain calm “in the face of this humongous provocation,” saying: “You cannot impeach the truth, and you cannot serve a notice of ‘gross misconduct’ on the collective will of the masses.
“Let it be known: 2027 is closer than it appears. The voters have long memories. Every legislator currently trading their integrity for political crumbs, and, of course, their paymasters, will meet the wrath of the masses at the ballot box.
“The gavel is yours today, but the people hold the ultimate power.”
Meanwhile, prominent politicians have been tipped as possible replacement of Gwarzo, among them the APC deputy governorship candidate in 2023, Murtala Sule Garo; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in 2015, Salihu Sagir Takai; and current Speaker of the Assembly, Jibril Isma’il Falgore.
