Kano State House of Assembly has accused the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo of gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust, issued a two-week ultimatum to defend himself.

Subsequently, 38 All Progressives Congress APC lawmakers have signed an impeachment notice of the Deputy Governor in a notice moved by the majority leader of the house, Hon. Lawan Husaini, representing Dala constituency.

The only two members of the assembly representing the New Nigerian Peoples Party NNPP however, refused to sign the impeachment notice.

Moving the motion at Thursday plenary presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Ismail Falgore, the leader said the notice was in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which outlines the procedure for the removal of a deputy governor from office.

According to the APC lawmaker, the impeachment move was based on several allegations relating to Abdussalam’s conduct while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and later as Deputy Governor.

“This article of impeachment is a formal notice by the Kano State House of Assembly in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution against Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo,” the lawmaker said.

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 lawmaker claimed that Gwarzo 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 notice also alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received additional payments totalling N726 million under the guise of executing special assignments for the councils.

Lawmaker further accused Gwarzo of abusing his office by allegedly facilitating the release of N440 million from the 44 local government councils to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited in violation of state procurement and fiscal management laws.

The Assembly said the allegations collectively amount to gross misconduct and resolved that the deputy governor be impeached and removed from office in line with constitutional provisions.

The impeachment move comes after weeks of adamant and refusal of the Deputy Governor to defect with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the ruling APC.

Gwarzo has vowed to remain with the leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso against the political realignment of Kano First slogan of Governor Yusuf.