The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, over allegations bordering on gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.
The impeachment notice was presented during plenary on Thursday by the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Dala told lawmakers that the notice contained several allegations linked to Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as actions allegedly taken in his current role as deputy governor.
According to him, the accusations include diversion of local government funds, abuse of office and other actions considered impeachable under the constitution.
He alleged that while supervising the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils, the deputy governor was involved in the diversion of funds earmarked for council operations.
The majority leader claimed that between June 2023 and January 2024, Gwarzo allegedly received N1.5m monthly from each of the 44 local government areas.
Dala said the arrangement translated to about N66m every month over a seven-month period, bringing the total to approximately N462m.
He described the alleged payments as a serious violation of public trust capable of undermining confidence in governance.
The lawmaker further alleged that from February to July 2024, the deputy governor received additional payments under the guise of executing special assignments.
According to him, each local government council allegedly paid N3.255m monthly during the six-month period, amounting to roughly N726m.
Dala maintained that the transactions, if established, would amount to a breach of the principles of transparency and accountability expected of public office holders.
The impeachment notice also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office in connection with another transaction involving NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Dala alleged that Gwarzo facilitated payments of N10m each from the 44 local government councils to the firm, bringing the total to N440m.
He said the payments were allegedly carried out in violation of the state’s procurement and fiscal management regulations.
“The misuse of official authority to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” the majority leader said while presenting the notice.
He added that the allegations collectively amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution, which covers serious violations of constitutional provisions or grave misconduct by a public officer.
Dala further informed the House that 38 lawmakers endorsed the impeachment notice, meeting the constitutional requirement for initiating the process.
He urged the Speaker to ensure that the notice is transmitted to the deputy governor in line with constitutional provisions.
“Based on the foregoing allegations, we hereby resolve that His Excellency, Aminu Abdussalam, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, be impeached and removed from office in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Following the presentation, members of the Assembly signalled their support for the notice, while the Speaker acknowledged receipt of the document and is expected to formally notify the deputy governor as required by law.
Under the constitutional procedure, once the notice is served, the House may request the Chief Judge of the state to constitute an investigative panel if the motion secures the constitutionally required majority.
