Abdullahi Gwarzo, the immediate past Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, has broken his silence regarding his unexpected removal from office by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Gwarzo asserted that his dismissal was not based on any allegations of poor performance or misconduct but rather on political considerations tied to regional balance.
Gwarzo said he was caught off guard by the decision, given that he had not been accused of any wrongdoing.
“I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance. As the Minister of State, I worked closely with the senior minister, overseeing a significant portion of the ministry’s activities,” he explained.
The former minister emphasised that there were no performance-based reasons for his removal, highlighting that he had diligently carried out his duties without complaint.
According to Gwarzo, prior to the announcement of his dismissal, he had been informed by President Tinubu of the decision.
He recounted the conversation with the president, where Tinubu mentioned that the Kano North region, which Gwarzo represented, had too many political appointments. The president reportedly suggested that the region needed to be balanced out, a reason Gwarzo found unconvincing.
“The President told me that Kano North was overloaded with political officers, and so there was a need for balance. We gave our advice, but it was ignored. From that moment, I began to suspect that certain individuals might have been behind this decision because, to me, that was not a valid reason for my removal,” Gwarzo said, hinting at political manoeuvring within the party.
While Gwarzo expressed disappointment over his ousting, he also took the opportunity to voice his opinion on who should have been appointed to replace him in the ministerial position.
He argued that the slot allocated to Yusuf Ata, the new Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, should have gone to Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the 2023 governorship candidate in Kano.
“If the ministerial slot is indeed meant for Kano Central, we have our 2023 governorship candidate, who is also our leader in Kano Central. Why not consider giving him the position?” Gwarzo suggested. He further argued that Gawuna, as the party’s prominent figure in the region, should have been given the first opportunity for the ministerial post.
“Gawuna should be offered the role first, unless he declines, in which case it could be given to someone else.
All other candidates from Plateau and Zamfara states who contested for the governorships were appointed to positions,” Gwarzo added.
The former minister’s comments come amid growing speculation about political appointments and regional balancing within the current administration.
His remarks reflect underlying tensions in the party, particularly regarding how key positions are allocated and the broader question of regional representation within President Tinubu’s government.
Gwarzo’s candidness about his dismissal and his thoughts on who should fill the Kano Central ministerial slot underscore his continued influence in Kano’s political landscape, as well as his frustration over what he perceives as political favouritism within the appointment process.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
