The sacked Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo, has kicked against his removal from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

Gwarzo claimed that he was not guilty of poor performance.

In a cabinet reshuffle on October 23, 2024, Tinubu dismissed Gwarzo alongside four other ministers.

The other dismissed ministers are Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Ken Ohanenye, Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and the Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim.

Commenting on the development, Gwarzo said the president informed him about the decision to relive him of his duties before the decision was made public.

Speaking with BBC Hausa, the sacked minister said: “I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance.

“And I was minister of state, with the senior minister overseeing a large portion of the Ministry’s activities.

“Before the announcement, the President had informed me of his decision.

“He said Kano North was overloaded with political officers, hence the need to strike a balance. We gave our advice, but it was ignored.

“From there, I began to suspect that certain individuals were behind this because, to me, that wasn’t a valid reason.

“If the ministerial slot is indeed meant for Kano Central, we have our 2023 governorship candidate who is also our leader in Kano Central. Why not consider giving him the position?

“Gawuna should be offered the role first, unless he declines, in which case it could be given to someone else.

“All other candidates from Plateau and Zamfara states who contested for the governorships were appointed to positions.”

Ex-minister Gwarzo kicks against dismissal from Tinubu’s cabinet