The former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo has alleged that his recent dismissal by President Bola Tinubu was politically motivated rather than based on his performance.
Gwarzo, who was one of five ministers dismissed by Tinubu on October 23, 2024, suggested that Nasiru Gawuna, the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kano State, should have been appointed as his replacement instead of Yusuf Ata.
In a BBC Hausa interview on November 9, Gwarzo expressed shock at his dismissal, stating, “I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance.
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”He explained that as a Minister of State, he handled a limited scope of responsibilities, with the senior minister overseeing most ministry operations.
According to Gwarzo, the President informed him of the decision beforehand, explaining that Kano North was “overloaded with political officers” and that balancing political appointments in the region was necessary.
Gwarzo, however, dismissed this reasoning, hinting that other political figures may have influenced the President’s decision.
“We gave our advice, but it was ignored,” he said, adding, “From there, I began to suspect that certain individuals were behind this because, to me, that wasn’t a valid reason.”
Following his dismissal, Gwarzo argued that Nasiru Gawuna, who also serves as the APC leader in Kano Central, would be a more suitable choice for the position.
“If the ministerial slot is indeed meant for Kano Central, we have our 2023 governorship candidate, who is also our leader in Kano Central.
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Why not consider giving him the position?” Gwarzo questioned. He further noted that other governorship candidates from APC in states like Plateau and Zamfara had been appointed to prominent roles.
Gwarzo’s remarks come amidst speculation over political balancing within Tinubu’s administration.
Alongside Gwarzo, other ministers dismissed included Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development).
The dismissals have sparked discussions about the political dynamics influencing President Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffles and the significance of regional representation in federal appointments.