The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has called on the State’s deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to consider resigning from office if he can no longer politically align with his principal, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Waiya made the remarks during an interview with Muhasa Radio while responding to questions over reports that the deputy governor has chosen to remain loyal to the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by former Kano State governor and NNPP national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, despite Governor Yusuf’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the commissioner, such political divergence at the highest level of government could erode trust, unity and effective governance.
“If you sit in an Executive Council meeting where people are discussing how to build Kano and there is suspicion about where such discussions may end up, then there is a problem. Governance is about trust,” Waiya said.
He noted that the decision ultimately rests with the deputy governor, stressing that it is a personal choice whether to continue working with the governor under the new political arrangement or to pursue a different political path. “If he can continue like this and the governor is comfortable with it, then there is no problem. But if I were him, I would have resigned honourably,” he said. “Just as we saw with some commissioners who felt uncomfortable with the new political direction and resigned, the deputy governor should also take an honourable step if he is no longer on the same political path with the governor,” Waiya said.
Waiya further suggested that political ambition may be influencing the deputy governor’s position. “Some peole are thinking he is better suited for the gubernatorial position so I don’t know if he also agrees with that sentiment but for me rather than be in a different party with my principal, I will rather take the dignified route. If I didn’t agree with this move, I would have left and openly pursued any political ambition I may have.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has not publicly responded to the Commissioner’s comments.
