Kano Assembly Moves to Impeach Deputy Governor Over Alleged ₦1.6bn Misconduct

The Kano State House of Assembly has formally initiated impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, citing allegations of gross misconduct and financial irregularities totaling ₦1.6 billion.

The legislative action was triggered during a plenary session on Thursday, March 5, 2026, following the presentation of a formal notice by the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini Dala.

This development marks a significant escalation in the political friction within the state's executive leadership, coming weeks after the Assembly had previously dismissed rumors of such a move.

The allegations against the Deputy Governor primarily concern his tenure as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between 2023 and 2024, as well as his conduct in his current office.

The House presented a detailed petition alleging that Gwarzo presided over the systematic diversion of funds intended for the administration of Kano's 44 local government councils. Specifically, the lawmakers alleged that the Deputy Governor received monthly "kickbacks" of ₦1.5 million from each local government area over a seven-month period, amounting to ₦462 million.

In the formal notice read during the plenary, Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala stated: "The action taken by this honorable House is in strict accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). We are duty-bound to investigate these grave allegations of abuse of office and breach of public trust which undermine the transparency of our governance."

The petition further alleged that an additional ₦726 million was collected under the guise of "special assignments" and that ₦440 million was irregularly facilitated for a private pharmaceutical firm in violation of state procurement laws.

The Assembly's move follows a period of heightened political tension characterized by the defection of Governor Abba Yusuf from the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a transition the Deputy Governor declined to join.

While the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, had previously suggested the Deputy Governor should resign for failing to align with the new party direction, the Assembly had as recently as February 8 maintained that "there is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor."

Following the adoption of the notice, the Speaker of the House directed that the Deputy Governor be served with the allegations immediately.

Under the constitutional framework, Gwarzo has been granted a two-week window to provide a formal response to the charges leveled against him. The House has indicated that it will strictly adhere to the legal timelines stipulated for impeachment, which may involve the constitution of an investigative panel by the State Chief Judge if the initial response is deemed unsatisfactory.