The ongoing crisis within the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has intensified as Governor Abba Yusuf reshuffled key officials, reassigning Aminu Kura, the permanent secretary for Special Duties in the Office of the Deputy Governor, and Ibrahim Kabara, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Naija News reports that the Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam also serves as the commissioner for Local Government.
The redeployment saw Kabara moved to the Ministry of Special Duties, while Kura was reassigned to the Office of the Head of Service without a designated portfolio.
In their places, Governor Yusuf appointed Sadi Ibrahim as permanent secretary for Special Duties in the Office of the Deputy Governor and Musbahu Badawi as permanent secretary for the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Additionally, the governor ordered the reassignment of Aminu Kabara and Jamilu Muhd, directors of Salary & Wages and Recruitment & Training respectively, from the Ministry of Local Government to the Office of the Head of Service.
While the reshuffle appears to be a routine administrative adjustment across several ministries, sources suggest it may be tied to internal tensions within the NNPP, exacerbated by a strained relationship between Governor Yusuf and the party’s national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
This relationship has further deteriorated following a drug procurement controversy involving Novomed, a pharmaceutical company owned by Kwankwaso’s nephew, Musa Garba Kwankwaso.
Observers believe the governor’s reassignments could be a calculated step to reduce the deputy governor’s influence over local government affairs.
A circular, dated November 4, 2024, and signed by Umar Jalo, the permanent secretary for Establishment in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, detailed the reassignments.
An informed source revealed to Daily Nigerian that the deputy governor was not consulted on the reassignments, a deviation from the tradition of allowing the Deputy Governor’s Office to nominate its civil servants for approval by the governor.
“This change signifies a growing rift between the governor and his deputy,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, some sources allege the affected officials were transferred due to purported involvement in the Novomed scandal, as indicated by the Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaint Commission’s findings.