Kano Assembly begins impeachment proceedings against deputy governor

The Kano State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of the state, Abdulsalam Aminu Gwarzo.

The development followed a motion raised during plenary by lawmakers alleging gross misconduct and abuse of office against the deputy governor.

According to the members, the decision to initiate the impeachment process is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which empowers state legislatures to begin impeachment proceedings against a deputy governor if allegations of gross misconduct are brought forward by members.

The Speaker of the House said the notice of allegations has been formally served on the deputy governor, giving him the opportunity to respond to the claims levelled against him in two weeks.

Lawmakers say the process will follow constitutional procedures, which include the possible constitution of an investigative panel to examine the allegations and make recommendations to the Assembly.

According to the notice, the deputy governor allegedly received kickbacks from the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024.

The lawmakers claimed that Abdussalam collected about N1.5 million monthly from each council, amounting to about N66 million per month and a total of N462 million within the seven-month period.

The deputy governor has refused to join the All Progressive Congress and has not been seen around the governor or the government house since the governor defected from NNPP to APC in January this year.