The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has criticised the impeachment proceedings initiated against Aminu Gwarzo, the deputy governor of Kano State.
The party described the action as “legislative rascality”, alleging that it was an attempt to strip the people of their mandate through indirect means.
Background
In January, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf defected from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing “deepening internal crises” and “prolonged leadership disputes” within the party.
Yusuf explained that the move was taken “in the best interest of the people of Kano state” in order to foster unity, stability and faster development across the state.
After the governor’s defection, reports emerged that members of the Kano State House of Assembly were planning to impeach the deputy governor for refusing to join the APC.
However, the assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Shawai, dismissed the reports at the time, describing them as baseless and without merit.
Allegations over local government funds
Despite the earlier denial, the Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday began impeachment proceedings against Gwarzo during plenary.
Lawmakers accused the deputy governor of gross misconduct, abuse of office, breach of public trust and financial malfeasance.
The majority leader of the assembly, Lawan Dala, read the impeachment notice, accusing Gwarzo of wrongdoing during his tenure as commissioner for local government.
According to Dala, the deputy governor “wilfully participated in the diversion of funds allocated to local government administrations for purposes other than those for which they were appropriated”.
He further alleged that “between June 2023 and January 2024, he received a kickback of N1.5 million from each of the 44 local governments monthly, amounting to N66 million per month for seven months and totalling N462 million for personal or improper benefit”.
Dala stated that the alleged actions constituted a breach of public trust and undermined the integrity of public office.
NNPP reacts
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson said the party was not surprised by what he called “the desperate antics” of the Kano State Assembly.
He described the impeachment move as “the dying kick of a political class that has lost its soul”.
Johnson also claimed that the deputy governor “is being persecuted” for refusing to align with those who defected from the party.
“He has chosen the path of honour, staying true to Kano voters and the party, while others have fled to the ruling party in a shameful display of political opportunism,” the statement read.
The NNPP further described the impeachment effort as a “classic symptom of the atavistic and cannibalistic democracy”, arguing that the law was being manipulated against the people it was meant to protect.
“They are not hunting a man; they are hunting the mandate of the people of Kano. We see this so-called impeachment process for what it is,” Johnson said.
“It is a transparent attempt to pave the way for the complete APC takeover of a mandate they could not win at the polls or through the courts. It is a political execution disguised as a constitutional process.”
The party reaffirmed its support for Gwarzo and urged residents of the state to remain calm “in the face of this humongous provocation”.
“You cannot impeach the truth, and you cannot serve a notice of ‘gross misconduct’ on the collective will of the masses,” Johnson said.
“Let it be known: 2027 is closer than it appears. The voters have long memories. Every legislator currently trading their integrity for political crumbs — and, of course, their paymasters — will meet the wrath of the masses at the ballot box. The gavel is yours today, but the people hold the ultimate power.”