The selective gavel: Corruption as a political weapon in Kano

The Kano State House of Assembly’s move to impeach Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over the alleged diversion of ₦1.6 billion in local government funds presents a troubling paradox in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

While the scale of the accusations involving monthly kickbacks and questionable pharmaceutical contracts is staggering and demands a thorough investigation, the timing of this moral awakening is impossible to ignore. It is a curious coincidence that these allegations only matured into an impeachment notice after the Deputy Governor declined to follow Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s political migration from the NNPP to the APC.

This development reinforces a cynical narrative in Nigerian politics, that corruption only becomes an unforgivable sin when a subordinate chooses a different political path. If the Deputy Governor had indeed been siphoning ₦1.5 million monthly from 44 local governments since 2023, the question must be asked: where was the legislative oversight then? By waiting until a political rift occurred to unveil these findings, the Assembly risks framing a legitimate anti-corruption effort as a mere tool for partisan vendetta. When justice is weaponized for self-interest, it loses its moral authority and becomes just another move on a political chessboard.

The administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf stands at a critical crossroads. To convince the public that this is not a witch-hunt, the government must adopt a firm, transparent, and holistic stance against corruption.

Accountability cannot be a selective process reserved for those who refuse to join the winning team. If the Deputy Governor is to face the full weight of the law, the same energy must be applied to any other official within the cabinet or the local government structure found wanting. Corruption does not wear a party logo, and its prosecution should not depend on one’s current political allegiance.

True justice must be seen to be done, and it must be appropriated fairly, not partially. If Governor Yusuf truly intends to cleanse the state's coffers, the probe must extend beyond a single individual to encompass all who might have facilitated or benefited from these alleged diversions. Anything less will render this impeachment a hollow exercise in political intimidation rather than a sincere effort to protect the resources of the people of Kano. The fight against corruption must be a constant principle of governance, not a contingency plan for political fallout.