A political advocacy group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Forum (RHAF), has issued a stern warning to Abdullahi T. Gwarzo, the recently dismissed Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, advising him to cease public criticisms of President Bola Tinubu following his removal. Gwarzo, along with four other ministers, was dismissed last month in a cabinet reshuffle attributed to underperformance in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda.
During a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Gwarzo suggested that his removal was politically motivated and questioned Tinubu’s decision to appoint Yusuf Abdullahi Atta as his successor instead of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the APC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate for Kano State. Gwarzo further revealed details of his private conversation with the President, a move that RHAF considers “an insult” and “a violation of confidentiality.”
The Kano State coordinator of RHAF, Comrade Danjuma Usman Gwale, expressed disappointment over Gwarzo’s statements, asserting that his remarks demonstrate a lack of respect for the constitutional powers vested in the President by Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution, which authorizes him to appoint and dismiss ministers at his discretion.
Gwale stated, “For a former minister to publicly disclose private conversations with the President is inappropriate and undermines both the President’s authority and the presidency’s integrity. Such behavior suggests that Gwarzo was unfit for his ministerial role.”
RHAF further noted that Gwarzo’s criticisms could destabilize public confidence in the presidency, describing his conduct as unprecedented among dismissed ministers. The group urged him to recognize that holding office is a privilege granted by the President, not an entitlement.
“His comments undermine the principles of democratic service,” Gwale added. “If he believed Gawuna was more qualified, he should have declined the appointment in 2023. No former minister has behaved in this way. Gwarzo’s hypocrisy and sense of entitlement are unacceptable, and we won’t tolerate any further disrespect toward the President.”
