The Kwankwasiyya political movement in Kano State has pushed back against allegations of financial misconduct leveled against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, presenting documents which it says prove that the controversial N1.1 billion fund was released with the approval of Governor Abba Yusuf.
The Kano State House of Assembly had earlier issued an impeachment notice to Gwarzo, accusing him of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice, endorsed by 38 out of the 40 lawmakers in the Assembly, alleged that the deputy governor was involved in financial impropriety both during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government and in his current role.
However, the Kwankwasiyya movement insists that official records dated between April and June 2024 contradict the allegations.
Documents released by the group indicate that the N1.1 billion allocation was approved as an intervention fund meant to address water shortages and improve drug supplies across the 44 local government areas of Kano State.
According to the records, the process began on April 15, 2024, when the Kano State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria wrote to the Ministry for Local Government requesting financial support to tackle acute water shortages and provide essential drugs.
The request was reportedly endorsed by the deputy governor before being forwarded to Governor Yusuf for approval.
One of the memos submitted to the governor explained that each of the 44 local governments proposed an allocation of N25 million, to be sourced from the State and Local Government Joint Account, bringing the total to N1.1 billion.
Subsequently, on May 14, 2024, the deputy governor formally sought the governor’s consent for the release of the funds through a memo referenced MLG/INS/MEE/1-2 and dated May 20, 2024.
The memo explained that the funds would help resolve the problem of acute potable water shortages in the local government areas while also supporting the supply of quality drugs for residents, particularly the less privileged.
Approval for the release of the funds was eventually granted on June 10, 2024, through a letter signed by Abubakar S. Dabo, Director of Local Government Inspection, on behalf of the commissioner.
The approved allocation provided for N10 million per local government area for the maintenance and repair of boreholes and open wells, while N15 million was designated for the supply of drugs and medical equipment.
This brought the total allocation to N25 million per local government area, amounting to N1.1 billion for the 44 councils.
Leaders of the Kwankwasiyya movement argue that the documents clearly show the deputy governor acted within the bounds of his official responsibilities and with the governor’s full consent.
They have therefore described the allegations by the Assembly as politically motivated.
The impeachment process is unfolding amid heightened political tensions in Kano State following Governor Yusuf’s recent defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Political observers believe the move against the deputy governor may also be connected to the shifting political dynamics in the state, particularly after Gwarzo reportedly declined to follow the governor to the APC and instead chose to remain with the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement.
The deputy governor has been given two weeks by the Assembly to respond to the allegations against him.
If lawmakers are not satisfied with his response, an investigative panel may be constituted in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Kano State Government were unsuccessful as the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, had yet to respond to inquiries as of the time this report was filed.
