Political turmoil looms in Zamfara as Assembly commences impeachment of deputy gov

Renewed political turmoil is looming in Zamfara State as the State House of Assembly commences the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, for refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party with Governor Bello Matawalle to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The House of Assembly had summoned the deputy governor in November 2021 for interrogation on allegations of gross misconduct, which though, were not specified by the lawmakers. The deputy governor, however, did not honour the invitation.

However, the Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. Musa Bawa, who is Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, may have continued the investigation of the deputy governor in secrecy, and had this week notified the House that the committee has concluded investigation on the allegation of gross misconduct. The Deputy Speaker, Musa Bawa, accordingly, submitted the notice of Impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahadi Gusau, to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasiru Magarya.

The Speaker assured that the committee’s report will be treated in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The Zamfara lawmakers are accusing Deputy Governor Mahadi Gusau of breach of constitution, abuse of office, financial misconduct, among others.

However, the deputy governor had on July 19, 2021, secured an injunction from a Federal High Court, siting in Abuja, restraining the Zamfara State House of Assembly from any proceeding for the impeachment of Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu Gusau.

The Zamfara State House of Assembly would be defying the court order which has not been vacated in proceeding with the impeachment of the deputy governor.

Deputy Governor Gusau became a victim of political hatred and target for removal from office, for refusing to defect to the APC with Governor Matawalle. The governor had defected from the PDP to the APC with the commissioners, and many lawmakers while the deputy governor declined and insisted in staying back in the PDP.