The immediate former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo, has revealed that his dismissal by President Bola Tinubu was politically motivated rather than due to any shortcomings in his ministerial performance.
The former minister added that the President should have chosen the 2023 All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, as his replacement.
This follows the appointment of Yusuf Ata as the new minister.
In a State House release on October 23, 2024, Tinubu dismissed Gwarzo along with four others, including the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Ken Ohanenye; Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; and the Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim.
However, in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, November 9, 2024, Gwarzo stated, “I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance. And I was minister of state, with the senior minister overseeing a large portion of the ministry’s activities.
“Before the announcement, the President had informed me 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 certain individuals were behind this because, to me, that wasn’t a valid reason.”
The former minister remarked that Gawuna, as the party’s leader in Kano Central, should be considered for the ministerial 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. Why not consider giving him the position?
“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.
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