The former minister argued that President Bola Tinubu should have chosen the 2023 All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, as his replacement.
Following the dismissal of Abdullahi Gwarzo as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, he has alleged that his removal was politically motivated.
The former minister argued that President Bola Tinubu should have chosen the 2023 All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, as his replacement.
He opined while speaking with BBC Hausa that his removal by President Tinubu was not based on a genuine reason or any shortcomings in his performance.
He said, “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.
“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.
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,” Gwarzo told BBC Hausa.
The State House dismissed Gwarzo on October 23, 2024, along with four others namely the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Ken Ohanenye; Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; and Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim.
However, the Presidency noted that they were not sacked but rather discharged.