Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, implemented a significant cabinet reshuffle yesterday, removing Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Shehu Wada Sagagi as Chief of Staff (CoS). The governor also dissolved the Office of the CoS and dismissed five commissioners, citing the need to enhance performance and retool the administration.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Bature Sanusi, attributed Bichi’s removal to health reasons, although sources disclosed that party leader Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso influenced the decision. Bichi, previously down with a stroke, had reportedly recovered.
The commissioners removed include Ibrahim Jibril Fagge (Finance), Ladidi Ibrahim Garki (Culture and Tourism), Baba Halilu Dantiye (Information and Internal Affairs), Shehu Aliyu Yammedi (Special Duties), and Abbas Sani Abbas (Rural and Community Development).
Retained commissioners include Haruna Isa Dederi (Justice), Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud (Agriculture), Dr. Abubakar Labaran (Health), Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar (Land and Physical Development), Musa Suleiman Shannon (Budget and Planning), and Marwan Ahmad (Works and Housing).
The reshuffle saw several commissioners reassigned: Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulssalam moved from the Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education; Mohammad Tajo Usman transitioned from Science and Technology to Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Amina Abdullahi shifted from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to Women, Children, and Disabled Affairs.
Other notable changes included Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata moving to Science, Technology, and Innovation, while Aisha Lawal Saji was reassigned to Tourism and Culture.
The governor stated the reshuffle was necessary for pragmatic political realignment and to drive better governance for Kano residents. However, insiders suggest the changes reflect internal divisions within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the governor’s efforts to assert his authority amid perceptions of being under Kwankwaso’s influence.
The dismissed commissioners were initially placed on probation due to underperformance, according to reports.
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