Kano Governor Suspends Aide Over Unauthorized Comments on Kwankwaso’s Alleged Defection

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has suspended one of his political aides, Ibrahim Rabi’u, for making “unguarded and inflammatory statements” regarding the rumored defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary to the State Government, and took immediate effect.

Rabi’u, who served as Senior Special Reporter at the Ministry of Transportation, reportedly made unauthorized remarks suggesting that Kwankwaso might defect to another political party. The statement sparked confusion and heated debate across political circles in Kano.

However, the state government quickly distanced itself from his claims.

“The government has distanced itself from the purported claim, describing the statement authored by the suspended aide as solely coming from the author for reasons best known to him,” said Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General of Media and Publicity at Government House.

The governor, through his media spokesperson, issued a stern warning to all political appointees, urging them to refrain from making public statements on politically sensitive matters without proper authorization.

“The government cautions all political appointees against unauthorized comments, especially outside their jurisdiction,” Bature stated.
“Any political appointee must get clearance before making public comments on issues that have to do with the position of the government on matters of public importance or of sensitive political decisions.”

He emphasized that he remains the official media spokesperson for the Governor and clarified that Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wayya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, is the only person officially authorized to speak on behalf of the Kano State Government.

The suspended aide is expected to respond to questions surrounding the motive and origin of his statement, which some observers claim was politically motivated.