The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended the chairmen of Bagwai, Bebeji and Rogo Local Government Areas for three months over allegations of financial misappropriation, abuse of office, procurement irregularities and other acts of misconduct, in one of the legislature’s most significant oversight actions against council officials in recent months.
The decision followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ismail Falgore.
Presenting the report, the committee’s Chairman, Hon. Aliyu Muhammad, said the panel investigated separate petitions submitted against the three council chairmen after the complaints were referred to it by the Assembly for legislative scrutiny.
He explained that the committee reviewed documentary evidence obtained from the affected local government councils and held interactive sessions with members of the legislative councils before arriving at its findings.
According to Muhammad, the investigation uncovered alleged cases of financial misappropriation involving funds earmarked for developmental projects in Bagwai Local Government Area.
The committee also alleged that the Chairman of Bebeji Local Government, Dr. Alhassan Salisu, engaged in abuse of office, persistent violations of due process in the award and execution of contracts, improper sale of council land, diversion of public funds, unlawful deductions from contractors’ payments and other procurement irregularities.
Muhammad further told lawmakers that the committee discovered evidence suggesting that some contractors were allegedly compelled to pay money into accounts nominated by the council chairman, contrary to established financial and procurement regulations.
“In the course of our investigation, we examined documents from the affected councils and engaged their legislative councils. The findings revealed credible allegations of financial misappropriation, abuse of office and procurement irregularities that require further investigation,” Muhammad said.
The committee equally accused the Chairman of Rogo Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, of undermining government policies, violating administrative procedures, abusing his office and allegedly misappropriating funds allocated for feeder road construction and rural electrification projects in Unguwar Dawa and Hausawa Fulani communities.
Based on its findings, the committee recommended the immediate suspension of the three chairmen pending the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation, citing the Assembly’s oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Contributing to the debate, the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Mudassir Ibrahim, stressed the need for accountability in public office, insisting that officials accused of financial misconduct must be subjected to transparent investigations.
“Public office is a public trust. Anyone accused of financial misconduct should be properly investigated to protect public resources and strengthen good governance,” Ibrahim said.
Following extensive deliberations, lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations through a voice vote.
Announcing the House resolution, Speaker Falgore ordered the immediate suspension of the chairmen of Bagwai, Bebeji and Rogo local government areas for a period of three months.
He also directed the vice chairmen of the affected councils to immediately assume leadership in acting capacities pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The vice chairmen of the affected local government areas are to immediately take over in acting capacities, while the committee is to conclude its investigation and submit its report to the House within 10 weeks,” Falgore ruled.
The Speaker further directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the Assembly’s resolution to the Kano State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for immediate implementation.
The affected council chairmen are Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Gadanya of Bagwai Local Government Area, Dr. Alhassan Salisu of Bebeji Local Government Area and Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha of Rogo Local Government Area.
The suspension marks one of the strongest disciplinary measures taken by the Kano State House of Assembly against elected local government officials since the inauguration of the current councils and underscores the legislature’s determination to strengthen accountability in grassroots governance.
West Trybe reports that local governments remain the third tier of government closest to the people and play a critical role in delivering basic services and executing community development projects. The Assembly’s action is expected to heighten scrutiny of local government administration in Kano as demands for transparency, prudent management of public funds and stronger institutional oversight continue to grow.
