“Tinubu Made a Wrong Decision Picking Yusuf Ata Over Gawuna,” Says Sacked Minister Gwarzo

In a recent interview, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, the former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to replace him with Yusuf Ata, stating that the choice was a political misstep. Gwarzo argued that the position should have gone to Nasiru Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 governorship candidate, to boost the party’s influence in Kano Central.

Gwarzo was removed from his position as part of a recent cabinet reshuffle that saw Tinubu dismiss five ministers. In a conversation with the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, Gwarzo maintained that his dismissal had no connection to performance issues, suggesting instead that internal political maneuvering among Kano APC leaders may have influenced the decision.

“I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance. I served as the minister of state under a senior minister who oversaw most of the ministry’s operations,” Gwarzo stated, emphasizing that his role and performance were not the grounds for his removal.

According to Gwarzo, Tinubu informed him that Kano North had an excess of political appointees, necessitating a shift to balance regional representation. However, Gwarzo believes this rationale was flawed and pointed to political undercurrents behind the decision.

“If the ministerial slot was intended for Kano Central, it would make sense to consider our 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, who is a key leader in the region,” he argued, highlighting Gawuna’s importance to the APC’s Kano Central structure.

Gwarzo further noted that Gawuna’s current political position is insufficient for him to effectively manage his influence and party structure in Kano. He referenced how other APC gubernatorial candidates from Plateau and Zamfara states have received ministerial roles, arguing that Gawuna deserved similar consideration.

Despite his disappointment, Gwarzo said he has accepted the situation and will continue to support President Tinubu’s administration.