The Reason Tinubu Gave For Sacking Me Is Not Valid – Former Minister

The immediate past Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has questioned the rationale behind his dismissal from the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.

According to Gwarzo, President Tinubu had informed him that Kano was overloaded with political officers, hence the need to cut down on some people from the state.

The former Minister, however, insisted that he wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance, adding that he suspects that some people are behind the President’s decision to sack him.

He also added that after President Tinubu informed him of the pending dismissal, some suggestions were made regarding his replacement, but they were ignored.

Gwarzo argued further that the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Kano, Nasir Gawuna, should have been offered the opportunity to represent Kano Central in the federal cabinet.

Speaking with BBC Hausa about his dismissal from Tinubu’s cabinet, he said: “I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance. And I was a minister of state with the senior minister who handles a large chunk of the ministry’s activities.

“Before the announcement, the President had put me on notice 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 some people are behind this, because for me that wasn’t a valid reason.

“If it’s true that the ministerial slot will be allocated to Kano Central, we have our 2023 gubernatorial candidate, who is also our leader in Kano Central. Why not consider giving him the slot?”

“Gawuna should be offered the position first, unless he declines, in which case it could be given to someone else.

“All his other colleagues who contested in other states were given positions, such as the candidates from Plateau and Zamfara states.”