Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has officially nominated Murtala Sule Garo as the state’s new Deputy Governor, ending weeks of speculation following a high-profile vacancy. The Governor transmitted Garo’s name to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The nomination of Garo, who is the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is a strategic move that highlights the ongoing political realignment in the state. The position became vacant on March 27, 2026, following the resignation of Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who stepped down amid an intense political rift with Governor Yusuf and the threat of impeachment by the state assembly over allegations of gross misconduct and financial malfeasance.
Murtala Sule Garo is a seasoned political administrator with over two decades of experience. He has previously served as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and was the APC’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 elections. His selection followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including the APC Legacy Group led by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and is seen as an effort to stabilize the state’s governance following Governor Yusuf’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Yusuf, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, noted that the nomination complies with Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution. With Garo’s deep roots in the state’s local government administration and his connection to the Atiku political dynasty, his confirmation is expected to significantly strengthen the administration’s grassroots reach as the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape.
