Kano Governor Scraps CoS Office, Drops SSG, Reassigns Commissioners

In a major cabinet shake-up, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has scrapped the Office of the Chief of Staff (CoS) which was occupied by Bala Sagagi and dropped the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baffa Bichi, due to health challenges.

The changes also affected the Deputy Governor Abdussalam Gwarzo, who was moved as commissioner for local government to higher education.

Announcing the shake-up in his office yesterday in Kano, the director-general of media to the governor, Sunusi Dawakintofa, said the rejig of the cabinet was to ensure optimum performance.
Five other commissioners affected in the exercise were those of special duties, finance, rural and community development and information.

He said, “In a major political decision, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced a reshuffle of the State Executive Council (SEC) to effect pragmatic political realignment of his administration.

“Those affected in the major shake-up are the Chief of Staff (CoS), Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, whose office is now scrapped, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi dropped on health grounds.

“Governor Yusuf removed some cabinet members and reassigned others to enhance administrative performance and political retool.

“Those who retained their positions are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran; Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Musa Suleiman Shannon and Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Marwan Ahmad.

“Also retained are the Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefiyanu Hamza; Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Auwal; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso; Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya and that of Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Mohammad Inuwa Idris (rtd).

“Those reassigned are the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam, who is moved from the Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education, Hon. Mohammad Tajo Usman moved from Science and Technology to the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata from Higher Education to Science, Technology and Innovation.

“Others on the reassignment list include Hon. Amina Abdullahi from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to the Ministry for Women, Children and Disabled, Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to the Ministry of Special Duties.”
The Commissioner for Project Monitory and Evaluation, Hon. Ibrahim Namadi moves to the Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa of the Ministry of Education moves to the Ministry of Water Resources.

On the reassigned list are Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda, who moves from Water Resources to the Ministry of Education, Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji, from the Ministry of Women, Children and Disabled to Tourism and Culture, and Hon. Muhammad Diggol from Transport to the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

Governor Yusuf dropped five members of the cabinet who included Ibrahim Jibril Fagge, of Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko, Culture and Tourism; Baba Halilu Dantiye, Information and Internal Affairs; Shehu Aliyu Yammedi, Special Duties and Abbas Sani Abbas, Rural and Community Development.

Also, the governor has directed the chief of staff and the five commissioners who were dropped to report to his office for possible reassignment.