Kano State’s Commissioner for Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Namadi, has resigned from his position amid growing outrage over his alleged role in securing bail for a notorious drug suspect, Sulaiman Danwawu.
His resignation came just hours after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received a damning report from an investigative panel looking into the controversy. The development, announced on Wednesday, was confirmed by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Governor’s spokesperson.
In his resignation letter, Namadi said he was stepping down to protect the integrity of the government and prevent further distractions — even as he maintained his innocence.
“Though this decision is painful, I believe it’s necessary. As someone part of an administration that stands firmly against drug abuse, I cannot allow my name — even if wrongly — to cast doubt on our shared vision,” Namadi said.
He also thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his loyalty to the administration’s ideals.
Governor Yusuf has since accepted the resignation and wished Namadi well. But he didn’t mince words: the governor emphasized his administration’s zero tolerance for drug-related crime, and urged all political appointees to act responsibly — especially when dealing with sensitive matters.
Allegations of Bribery and Bail for a Drug Kingpin
Namadi’s exit follows widespread backlash after reports emerged that he had allegedly collected a $30,000 bribe to stand as surety for Sulaiman Danwawu, a suspected drug kingpin.
According to an internal report by the State Security Service (SSS), Namadi facilitated Danwawu’s court bail despite the suspect facing serious drug trafficking charges. The scandal triggered intense public anger and calls for his removal.
In fact, standarddailypress had earlier revealed that Namadi even swore an affidavit to fulfill Danwawu’s ₦8 million bail conditions. What’s more, the commissioner had previously been wanted by police in 2013 for fraud, yet still ended up with a seat in Governor Yusuf’s cabinet — reportedly on the recommendation of NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.
A Brewing Power Struggle Behind the Scenes
Sources close to the matter say the governor was furious when he discovered Namadi’s involvement in the bail deal — especially since the administration had previously ordered a crackdown on Danwawu and other drug lords.
“The commissioner’s actions directly undermine the governor’s fight against drugs in Kano,” a source close to the security council said.
Still, Governor Yusuf was reportedly hesitant to act immediately because of Namadi’s ties to Kwankwaso, who nominated him for the job in the first place.
Insiders also say Namadi’s time as commissioner was fraught with internal conflict. He allegedly clashed with Kabiru Labour, the NURTW state chairman, and forced the union to pay him ₦500,000 monthly “returns.” He also had a poor working relationship with his permanent secretary, Abdulmumin Babani, leading to administrative gridlock.
“Over 30 memos from the transport ministry have been sidelined by the governor — many marked ‘see me’ or left unapproved,” one insider said.
In one notable case, a proposal to buy solar-powered tricycles was submitted to the state executive council — but not by the Ministry of Transport, raising questions about the commissioner’s effectiveness.
Namadi Denies Everything
Despite mounting evidence and multiple sources confirming the bribery allegations, Namadi has continued to deny any wrongdoing.
“I’m not aware of any of those allegations. It’s not true,” he told reporters.
Still, with his resignation now official, and investigations ongoing, this story may be far from over
