Kano commissioner urges deputy governor to resign over party defection dispute
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, has called on the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to step down from office following his decision not to defect alongside Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking to journalists in Kano on Thursday, Waiya argued that effective governance is rooted in loyalty, trust and shared political vision, stressing that the deputy governor’s continued involvement in executive decision-making was no longer sustainable under the circumstances.
He maintained that it was inappropriate for a deputy governor who no longer shared the same political alignment as the governor to participate in sensitive government deliberations, including State Executive Council meetings.
According to the commissioner, governance depends heavily on confidentiality and mutual confidence, both of which could be undermined when key officials do not share the same political commitment.
While acknowledging that the deputy governor was entitled to his personal political choices, Waiya said remaining in office after distancing himself from the governor’s political direction raised serious concerns about cohesion and trust within the administration.
He added that, in his personal opinion, resignation would be the most honourable course of action for the deputy governor in order to preserve the integrity of the government.
The commissioner’s comments come amid ongoing political realignments in Kano State following Governor Yusuf’s recent defection from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC, along with several federal and state lawmakers.
Waiya described the governor’s defection as a strategic move that would benefit Kano State, arguing that closer alignment with the ruling party at the federal level would attract increased development projects and government support.
Addressing broader issues of governance, the commissioner assured residents that the state government was actively engaging stakeholders to resolve the lingering emirate crisis through dialogue and strict adherence to the rule of law.
He emphasised that the administration remained committed to peace and stability, noting that political disagreements would not be allowed to disrupt governance or undermine the collective interests of the people of Kano State.
