By Ayodele Oni
For refusing to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kano State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment process against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
Allegations against him which include gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust were traced back to when he served as a commissioner in the state between 2023 and 2024.
The notice of impeachment was presented on the floor of the Assembly by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action was taken in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
According to him, the impeachment notice contains several allegations linked to Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as his current role as deputy governor.
Dala explained that the allegations border on diversion of local government funds, abuse of office and other actions considered impeachable under the constitution.
He alleged that while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and overseeing the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils, the deputy governor participated in the diversion of funds meant for local government operations.
The majority leader told the Assembly that between June 2023 and January 2024, Abdussalam allegedly received a kickback of N1.5 million from each of the 44 local government areas monthly.
According to him, the arrangement amounted to N66 million every month for seven months, totalling N462 million, which he said constituted a breach of public trust and undermined confidence in public governance.
Dala further alleged that between February and July 2024, Abdussalam received additional payments from the local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments.
He stated that the payments amounted to N3.255 million monthly from each local government, bringing the total to about N726 million over the six-month period.
The lawmaker said the alleged payments constituted another breach of public trust and violated the principles of transparency and accountability expected of a public officer.
He said the alleged diversion of local government funds and abuse of office represented a fundamental breach of constitutional norms and ethical standards expected from public officials.
The majority leader told the Assembly that the impeachment notice was endorsed by 38 lawmakers, which meets the constitutional requirement for initiating the process.
He also urged the Speaker to approve the transmission of the notice to the deputy governor as required by law.
Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had defected to the APC along with some members of the House of Assembly and serving commissioners while those that refused to join the train have resigned their appointment.
Before their defection, they were all members of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) in whose ticket they were elected.
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