Abdullahi Gwarzo, Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, has stated that his dismissal by President Bola Tinubu was not connected to any performance issues.
Speaking with BBC Hausa Service, Gwarzo expressed surprise at his removal, emphasizing that he was not accused of any misconduct or substandard performance.
“I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance,” Gwarzo said. He explained that his role was largely supportive, with the senior minister handling the bulk of the ministry’s activities.
Gwarzo revealed that President Tinubu informed him beforehand of the decision, explaining that it was based on a need to balance political representation, particularly due to an over-representation of appointees from Kano North. “We provided our advice, but it was not heeded. This led me to believe that certain individuals might have influenced the decision, as the stated reason didn’t seem valid,” Gwarzo added.
Recall that Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, clarified that Tinubu’s decision to relieve several ministers followed a performance review, heavily influenced by public feedback. The review process, led by Hadiza Bala Usman, the President’s Adviser on Policy, involved a technology-driven system where Nigerians rated the ministers’ effectiveness.
“Hadiza brought technology to it, asking Nigerians to score the ministers,” Onanuga explained. “The results were based on empirical data, reflecting public perception, and it was the people who essentially created the scorecard. The President acted on those results.”