Barrister Mustapha I. Zubair, a prominent lawyer and politically conscious citizen of Kano State, has written a letter to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alleging a plot by certain senior civil servants to extend their tenure of service beyond the mandated retirement age. The letter, which expresses deep concern over the issue, highlights the potential implications of such actions on the state’s governance and public trust.

Zubair, a registered voter of Gwale Local Government, begins the letter by expressing gratitude and admiration for Governor Yusuf’s leadership and pro-people policies. “Your exemplary leadership and pro-people policies have continually fostered growth and prosperity, and we, the citizens, are deeply appreciative of your dedication,” Zubair states in the letter.

However, Zubair quickly shifts focus to the matter of tenure elongation, which he describes as a growing concern among the people of Kano State. “It is evidently clear that after the recent posting of permanent secretaries in the state, some top government functionaries who will be due for retirement in December 2024 are now striving day and night to secure tenure elongation only for themselves,” he alleges.

The letter emphasizes the potential negative implications of such actions, suggesting that the attempt to prolong service tenure by a few senior civil servants could undermine the principles of fairness and transparency in the state’s administration. Zubair urges Governor Yusuf to address the issue promptly to maintain public trust and ensure that the state’s governance remains transparent and accountable.

The letter concludes with a plea for Governor Yusuf to take immediate action to prevent any attempts at tenure elongation and to uphold the integrity of the state’s civil service. “We trust in your commitment to justice and fairness, and we believe that you will take the necessary steps to address this issue,” Zubair writes.

The allegations have sparked discussions among political observers and citizens, who are keenly watching how Governor Yusuf will respond to the concerns raised in the letter.

The Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that it has stopped the October monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue payment to Rivers State.

The development comes amid the ongoing face-off between Governor Simi Fubara and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike.

According to the Spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, the decision to stop the payment was made in respect of a court order.

Mokwa disclosed that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) will respect the court order, which barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian government from disbursing monthly allocations to the Rivers State government.

His words: “What I got is that the October 2024 FAAC has not been distributed yet. However, the Federal Government will obey the court order on the matter of Rivers State allocation.

“We are going to follow due diligence as long as there is no contrary order. In case there is a contrary, the status will remain.”

He added, “The process of disbursement of the October 2024 monthly allocation is going.”

The court order was obtained by the factional Rivers State Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, who had filed an originating summons against the Rivers State Executive, under the leadership of Simi Fubara.

The Amaewhule faction had alleged that the Rivers State Executive was yet to comply with the order of a Federal High Court directing it to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill to the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) Board of Trustees (BOT) has no power to suspend or dismiss any bona fide member of the KCSF, according to Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, the Executive Director of Citizens for Development and Education (CDE).
Waiya’s statement comes in response to reports that the BOT, led by Prof. Mohammad Tabiu, has suspended him from the forum.

Waiya addressed the issue in a press statement, clarifying that the information circulating on social media and other platforms was misguided. “The misguided information in the press release, published on some media platforms, was said to have been signed by one Alhaji Hamisu Isa Sherifai, who paraded himself as the Secretary of the KCSF Board,” Waiya stated.

He emphasized that he does not typically engage in trivial disputes but felt compelled to set the record straight for the benefit of those misled by the media propaganda. “The only crime Amb. Ibrahim Waiya and his colleagues committed was their objection to a kangaroo election organized by BOT to elect the new leadership of KCSF,” Waiya explained. He noted that less than 50 out of 200 registered organizations participated in the election, which he described as lacking accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility.

Waiya criticized the BOT for not understanding the KCSF constitution and overstepping their boundaries. “KCSF BOT has no right to outrightly suspend any registered member, except on the recommendation of the Executive Council, after a thorough investigation of any offense,” he asserted. He added that the BOT should not assume the role of managing the day-to-day affairs of the organization.

Highlighting the importance of fair hearing, Waiya pointed out that the Nigerian constitution guarantees this right to every citizen. “It is clearly spelt out even in the Nigerian constitution that fair hearing is a fundamental right of every citizen,” he said. Waiya questioned how the BOT received a recommendation from the executive council, given that the BOT-anointed leadership is currently standing trial in a case challenging the validity of the election.

Waiya appealed to all patriotic members of the KCSF, associates, partners, friends, and colleagues to remain calm and disregard the negative propaganda against him. “We must also note that Kano development, the North, and Nigeria are the primary priority of Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, not his reputation,” he stated. Waiya assured that the purported suspension letter holds no water and that the action will be challenged in court.

The statement was signed by Bahir A. Bashir, Media Aid to Amb. Ibrahim Waiya.