Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, the immediate past Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, has challenged the justification for his removal from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. According to Gwarzo, the President cited an overload of political officers in Kano as the reason for his dismissal.
However, Gwarzo insists he has committed no wrongdoing and performed adequately in his role. He suspects external influences may have contributed to the President’s decision to let him go.
He also noted that after being notified of his impending dismissal, several suggestions for his replacement were proposed but ultimately disregarded.
Additionally, Gwarzo argued that the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Kano, Nasir Gawuna, should have been given the chance to represent Kano Central in the federal cabinet.
In an with BBC Hausa regarding his removal from Tinubu’s cabinet, he said: “I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance. And I was a minister of state with the senior minister who handles a large chunk of the ministry’s activities.
“Before the announcement, the President had put me on notice of his decision.
“He said Kano North was overloaded with political officers, hence the need to strike a balance. We gave our advice, but it was ignored.
“From there I began to suspect that some people are behind this, because for me that wasn’t a valid reason.
“If it’s true that the ministerial slot will be allocated to Kano Central, we have our 2023 gubernatorial candidate, who is also our leader in Kano Central. Why not consider giving him the slot?
“Gawuna should be offered the position first, unless he declines, in which case it could be given to someone else.
“All his other colleagues who contested in other states were given positions, such as the candidates from Plateau and Zamfara states.”
