Kano State House of Assembly Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Deputy Gov

Kano State House of Assembly Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Deputy Gov

The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday, March 5, 2026, officially began impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, citing gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust. The move has escalated political tensions in Kano State amid ongoing disagreements between the deputy governor and state leadership.

During Thursday’s plenary, Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala presented the impeachment notice, which was formally read by Speaker Ismail Falgore, in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). This provision empowers a state legislature to commence the removal of a deputy governor for impeachable offenses, including gross misconduct.

Allegations Against Abdulsalam

The impeachment notice alleges that Abdulsalam, during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs (2023–2024) and subsequently as Deputy Governor, engaged in improper financial practices. Lawmakers claim he received ₦1.5 million per month from each of the state’s 44 local government councils between June 2023 and January 2024, totalling ₦462 million over seven months.

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Further, between February and July 2024, Abdulsalam allegedly received ₦3.255 million per council monthly for purported “special assignments,” amounting to an additional ₦726 million. The Assembly also accused him of facilitating the release of ₦10 million from each council — ₦440 million in total — to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, in violation of the Kano State Public Procurement Law and Fiscal Management regulations.

The lawmakers describe these actions as gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the Constitution, representing a serious breach of ethical standards and public trust.

Process and Next Steps

A total of 38 members of the Kano State House of Assembly signed the impeachment notice, meeting constitutional requirements to trigger the process. Following the presentation, Speaker Falgore directed that the notice be formally served on Deputy Governor Abdulsalam, who now has 14 days to respond to the allegations.

If the deputy governor replies or if the motion proceeds, the Assembly may establish an investigative panel to scrutinize the claims before a potential vote on removal. Observers note that the process could significantly impact Kano’s political landscape, particularly in the context of recent party defections and internal disagreements within state leadership.

The impeachment initiative comes amid speculation about Abdulsalam’s political stance after he reportedly refused to defect alongside Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the NNPP to the APC, further straining relations within the state’s leadership.

As of now, Deputy Governor Abdulsalam has not publicly responded to the impeachment notice.

Kano State House of Assembly Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Deputy Gov