The former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to appoint Yusuf Ata as his replacement, calling it a political misstep.

Recall that in a recent cabinet reshuffle, President Tinubu dismissed Gwarzo and four other ministers, sparking discussions about the motives behind the changes.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa service, Gwarzo suggested that his removal was not performance-related but rather the result of political maneuvering by certain party leaders in Kano.

“I was surprised because I wasn’t accused of any misconduct or poor performance,” Gwarzo stated. “As a minister of state, most of the ministry’s significant responsibilities were handled by the senior minister.”

He revealed that President Tinubu had informed him beforehand, explaining that the political balance in Kano North necessitated a reshuffle.

“The President said Kano North had too many political appointees, so adjustments were needed to achieve balance. We provided our input, but it wasn’t heeded,” Gwarzo explained. “That made me suspect there were underlying influences at play, as the reason given didn’t seem valid.”

Gwarzo argued that the logical choice for the appointment should have been Nasiru Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election and a key leader in Kano Central.

He questioned why Gawuna was overlooked, despite similar appointments in other states where former gubernatorial candidates were given significant roles.

“If the ministerial position is indeed for Kano Central, then our 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Gawuna, should have been the first consideration. Only if he declined should the opportunity have gone to another,” Gwarzo said.

He emphasized that Mr. Gawuna’s current political standing may not be sufficient for effectively managing his political structures, unlike his counterparts from Plateau and Zamfara states who were appointed to strategic roles.