Boycott of the 38th Executive Council Meeting: Time for Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo to Resign from the Government of Kano State
By Comrade Najeeb Nasir Ibrahim
Email: najeebnasir99@gmail.com
March 14, 2026
Governance is a machinery of synchronized gears. When the Governor and the Deputy Governor—the two primary gears of the state cease to mesh, the entire engine of progress stalls. The absence of Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo from the 38th State Executive Council meeting on March 12 is not just a political headline; it is a troubling signal that the machinery of governance in Kano State may be slowing down.
The State Executive Council is the engine room of governance. It is where contracts are approved, security strategies are discussed, and policies designed to improve the lives of citizens are debated and adopted. When the Deputy Governor boycotted this meeting, he did not merely distance himself from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf he distanced himself from the administrative process itself.
The consequences are far-reaching.
Policy Paralysis
Important policy memos, particularly those concerning higher education a ministry under the Deputy Governor’s supervision cannot be effectively defended or integrated into the broader development agenda if the responsible authority is absent from the state’s highest decision-making forum.
Investor Anxiety
Investors, both domestic and international, seek stability. A visible rift at the highest level of government creates uncertainty about policy direction and long-term commitments, potentially discouraging investment in the state.
Bureaucratic Confusion
Civil servants within the Ministry of Higher Education and other government institutions may find themselves caught in uncertainty. Without clear alignment between the Governor and the Deputy Governor, administrative processes risk becoming slowed by political considerations.
This situation is particularly concerning given the Governor’s clear position that officials who are unwilling to align with the administration’s direction should consider stepping aside. Governance cannot be effective when key officials remain in office while distancing themselves from the responsibilities that come with that office.
In a state with a large and energetic youth population, the Ministry of Higher Education is far too critical to become entangled in political disputes. Several other officials have previously taken the honorable path of stepping down when their political positions no longer aligned with that of the administration.
Remaining in office while refusing to actively participate in governance raises legitimate questions about commitment to public service.
If the absence of a key official from crucial decision-making meetings contributes to policy delays, project stagnation, or administrative gridlock, then the matter becomes more than a personal disagreement it becomes a governance issue that concerns the people of the state.
The Kano State House of Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that governance remains functional and accountable.
Kano cannot afford administrative stagnation. The ongoing rift between the Governor and his Deputy risks slowing development at a time when citizens expect leadership, cooperation, and results.
For the sake of stability and effective governance, the path forward should be guided by principle. If the Deputy Governor can no longer effectively participate in the administration, the most honorable step would be clear:
He should resign.
Public office is about service, not position. The people of Kano deserve a government where every official at the highest level is fully committed to working together for the progress of the state.
