The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday impeached the state’s Deputy Governor, Abdulsalam Aminu Gwarzo, following a plenary session held in Kano.
The lawmakers reportedly took the decision after tensions emerged within the state’s political leadership following the recent defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Sources within the Assembly indicated that Gwarzo’s refusal to follow the governor into the APC and his decision to remain in the NNPP contributed to the political rift that culminated in his impeachment.
The development came only days after the Assembly dismissed reports suggesting that there were plans to remove the deputy governor from office.
Speaking earlier to journalists in Kano, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the House, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, had denied that lawmakers were considering any impeachment move against the deputy governor.
Shawai described the reports circulating in sections of the media at the time as unfounded and capable of creating unnecessary political tension in the state.
“There is absolutely no basis for these claims. The House has not initiated or is not considering any impeachment process against the deputy governor. The reports are false and should be disregarded by the public,” he had said.
However, the Assembly proceeded with the impeachment during Thursday’s plenary, marking a dramatic turn in the unfolding political developments in Kano State.
