The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has strongly criticised the move by the Kano State House of Assembly to begin an impeachment process against the state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
The party described the development as an act driven by desperation among certain politicians who, it claimed, are determined to overturn the political mandate given by the electorate during the 2023 elections.
The criticism was made public in a statement released in Abuja by the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson.
In the statement, Johnson argued that the push for impeachment is not rooted in genuine governance concerns but is instead part of a broader political struggle for control in Kano State.
According to him, the deputy governor is facing political persecution simply because he has refused to defect from the NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Johnson said the pressure on Gwarzo to switch parties had been mounting for some time, and his refusal to do so allegedly triggered the current impeachment campaign.
He stated that Gwarzo had chosen to remain loyal to the party that secured the confidence of Kano voters during the last gubernatorial election.
In Johnson’s view, the deputy governor’s decision reflects a commitment to political integrity and respect for the will of the electorate.
Johnson further claimed that the impeachment attempt represents a calculated political manoeuvre aimed at weakening the NNPP’s hold on the state’s leadership.
He argued that those backing the move are seeking to achieve through legislative action what they could not secure through the ballot box.
The NNPP spokesperson also accused members of the Kano legislature of misusing constitutional powers.
According to him, the legislature is meant to safeguard democratic values, not serve as a tool for political rivalry or party domination.
He warned that turning legislative authority into a political weapon could undermine democratic institutions if such practices continue.
Political tensions in Kano have intensified in recent months as rival parties continue to contest influence in the state’s political landscape.
The NNPP emerged victorious in the state’s governorship election in 2023, securing a mandate from voters to lead the state for a four-year term.
Johnson insisted that the impeachment effort is an attempt to disrupt that mandate.
He also warned that manipulating democratic processes for partisan advantage could create instability in the state’s political environment.
According to him, the electorate expects political leaders to prioritise governance and development rather than internal power struggles.
Despite the growing controversy, the NNPP urged residents of Kano to remain calm and avoid actions that might escalate tensions.
Johnson said the party believes that democratic principles will ultimately prevail and that political disputes should always be handled through lawful and transparent processes.
He emphasised that the party would continue to defend the mandate it received from voters in the 2023 election.
The NNPP, he said, would not remain silent in the face of what it described as legislative misconduct or attempts to intimidate elected officials who remain loyal to their party.
Johnson also reminded politicians involved in the impeachment initiative that voters closely observe the actions of their representatives.
With another election cycle approaching in the coming years, he noted that the public would eventually judge those who attempt to undermine democratic choices.
In his concluding remarks, Johnson reiterated the party’s unwavering support for Deputy Governor Gwarzo.
He stressed that the NNPP remains committed to standing by the deputy governor and the people of Kano State, whom he said freely entrusted the party with leadership.
According to him, the current political dispute goes beyond a single individual.
He argued that it reflects a broader struggle over the protection of electoral mandates and the integrity of democratic governance in Kano.
The party therefore called on political actors to respect the will of the electorate and avoid actions capable of destabilising the state’s political system.
For the NNPP, the controversy surrounding the impeachment of the deputy governor is not merely a political disagreement but a test of Nigeria’s democratic principles at the state level.
Ireport247news
