Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has chosen Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo as the new Deputy Governor of the state.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the decision came after the former deputy governor, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, stepped down from his position after a long period of political tension.
Gwarzo’s troubles began after Abba Yusuf left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). His defection created a rift between him and the deputy governor, who remained in the NNPP.
Gwarzo faced pressure to join the governor in the APC, but he refused. As the situation worsened, the State House of Assembly began moves to remove him from office.
Amid the crisis, Gwarzo resigned and later aligned himself with the African Democratic Congress.
In a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Mustapha Muhammad, it was announced that Garo had been nominated to take over the vacant position.
The statement explained that the nomination follows the provision of Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows a governor to appoint a deputy when the office becomes empty.
It also noted that the governor had consulted widely before making the choice and had asked the State Assembly to approve the nomination.
Garo, who is 48 years old, has spent over two decades in public service. During this time, he has held several roles at both the local and state levels.
His past positions include serving as a party organising secretary, special adviser to the governor, and chairman of Kabo Local Government Area. He also led the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Kano, worked as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and contested as a deputy governorship candidate under the APC in the 2023 elections.