By Jabiru Hassan
The Kano State House of Assembly has officially commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The move was initiated during a plenary session on Thursday, March 5, 2026, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jibrin Falgore. The House has given the Deputy Governor a two-week ultimatum to respond to the allegations leveled against him.
Constitutional Basis and Procedure
Reading the formal notice, the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, stated that the action complies with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended). He revealed that 38 out of the 40 members of the House have already signed the impeachment notice, easily surpassing the constitutional threshold required to initiate the process.
The proceedings follow a petition submitted by the Executive urging the House to investigate Abdussalam’s activities during his tenure as the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024.
Specific Allegations
The petition details a series of financial irregularities and alleged misuse of power:
- Breach of Public Trust: Abdussalam is accused of diverting funds intended for the administration of the state’s 44 local government areas. Between June 2023 and January 2024, he allegedly received monthly kickbacks of ₦1.5 million from each council, totaling ₦462 million over seven months.
- Diversion of Funds: From February 2024 to July 2024, the Deputy Governor reportedly received approximately ₦726 million from local government councils under the guise of executing “special assignments.”
- Abuse of Office: He is further alleged to have facilitated the improper release of ₦440 million (₦10 million from each LGA) to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited, a move said to violate public procurement laws and state fiscal regulations.
Political Context
The impeachment move comes amid heightened political tension in Kano following the defection of Governor Abba Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this year. Reports suggest that Abdussalam’s refusal to join the Governor in defecting has created a rift within the state’s executive council.
Majority Leader Dala emphasized that the collective actions described in the petition constitute gross misconduct, representing a grave violation of constitutional norms. The House is expected to resolve by motion whether to investigate the allegations further following the expiration of the two-week response period.
