KANO, Nigeria – The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, nominated Murtala Garo as Deputy Governor and forwarded his name to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The nomination complies with Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers a governor to nominate a deputy when a vacancy exists, and Okay News reports that the statement regarding this nomination was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mustapha Muhammad.
The former Deputy Governor, Abdussalam Gwarzo, resigned from office on March 27, 2026. Gwarzo’s resignation was confirmed in a statement by the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habibu Mohammed.
Regarding the appointment, Governor Yusuf said “Garo’s nomination followed consultations with key stakeholders in the state.” The statement revealed that Governor Yusuf asked the Kano House of Assembly to consider and approve the nomination.
Murtala Garo, 48, has over two decades of political and administrative experience. He has served as State Organising Secretary of his party, Special Adviser to the Governor, and Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area.
He also served as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Kano, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Deputy Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 general elections.
