Abdulkadir, who was nominated to the post in 2010, told Somalia Report a long illness and the burden of working for a state that is not meeting its mandated functions led to him stepping down.
Critics say Galmudug, one of many regional states now dotting Somalia, has failed to live up to its promises.
Hashi Warsame, a Galkayo resident, says little has been done about poor infrastructure, institution building and improving public services.
“I believe corruption is the main factor which is undermining Galmudug,” he said.
Galmudug state covers four main towns in central Somalia including Hobyo, Harardhere, Gelinsor and the southern half of Galkayo, but militant Islamist group al-Shabaab last year gained control of Harardhere after it merged with Hizbul Islam. The northern half of Galkayo is ruled by the autonomous state of Puntland.
Residents say that while Puntland is providing services to its people, the Galmudug administration has delivered nothing.
“The only thing residents in Galmudug can remember is the peace agreement with Puntland that related to security collaboration with the two sides,” said Hashi.
Clan rivalries and widely available small arms make security fragile, say locals. According to Galmudug analysts, piracy and clan-related tensions are common in the areas – usually between the larger Sa’ad clan, which has the state authority, and its Saleban counterparts. In a stark illustration of the clan problems, a Somalia Report journalist in Hobyo to investigate piracy and accusations of toxic dumping was detained by the Sa'ad clan militia amid inter-clan suspicions on Saturday.
“(President Mohamed Ahmed) Alin is good at showing off to the world that he is Galmudug leader but the reality on the ground is different,” Abdirahman Said, Galkayo-based journalist, told Somalia Report. “Institutions must tackle possession of guns by the locals, and then peace and other governance institutions can grow.”
Alin could not be reached for comment, but in an earlier interview with Somalia Report, he said that the security forces, numbering around 100, were in desperate need of international funding to provide arms and communications equipment to improve security and fight piracy.
Residents have chased pirate gangs north of Hobyo, sick of their debauched lifestyles, but Alin says they are unable to do anything else without further resources.