Ibrahim Waiya, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has publicly called on Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo to step down from office if he can no longer align politically with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, warning that divisions at the top of government could undermine trust and effective governance.
Waiya’s comments followed Governor Yusuf’s recent resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that has continued to generate political tension within the state’s executive arm.
Speaking during a live programme on Muhasa Radio, Waiya addressed reports that Gwarzo has remained loyal to the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former Kano governor and key political figure in the state, despite Yusuf’s exit from the NNPP.
According to the commissioner, divergent political loyalties between a governor and his deputy could erode unity within the administration, particularly given Gwarzo’s dual role as deputy governor and commissioner for higher education.
“What we are hoping for, just as some commissioners who felt uncomfortable with the new direction resigned, is that the deputy governor should take an honourable step if he is no longer on the same political path with the governor,” Waiya said.
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He stressed that governance depends heavily on shared purpose and mutual trust, cautioning that suspicion within the Executive Council could stall development efforts in the state.
“If you sit in an Executive Council meeting discussing how to build Kano and there is suspicion about where discussions may lead, then there is a problem. Governance is about trust,” he added.
Waiya also suggested that personal political ambitions, including possible governorship aspirations, may be influencing the deputy governor’s stance amid Kano’s highly competitive political environment.
“There is nothing wrong with having ambition. However, when personal interests conflict with the direction of the government, the most honourable option is to step aside and pursue those goals independently,” he said.
While emphasising that the final decision rests with Gwarzo, Waiya noted that he would personally resign if faced with a similar situation.
“It is his decision; if he believes he can continue to work with the governor under the present circumstances, then that is fine,” the commissioner said. “But if I were in that position, I would have left the office and faced my political journey clearly and openly.”
The remarks add to growing political debate in Kano State following Yusuf’s defection, as stakeholders watch closely for its implications on governance and internal cohesion within the state government.