KANO, Nigeria – Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate past governor of Kano State, has expressed deep concern over the suspension of salaries for 10,000 workers employed during his tenure.
The move, executed by the current government led by Abba Yusuf, comes at a time when the populace is striving to make ends meet, particularly during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, by Muhammad Garba, former Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ganduje lambasted the current government’s decision, describing it as stemming from “flimsy and unacceptable reasons.”
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The suspension has created anxiety among civil servants in Kano State, who now fear widespread layoffs.
“At this period of Eid Adha celebrations, the NNPP stopped the salaries of over 10,000 workers employed by the former administration under flimsy and unacceptable reasons,” Ganduje said.
The former governor highlighted that the salary stoppage has particularly impacted teachers, including some who were employed more than three months ago.
This, he said, “has generated palpable fears in the state civil service for possible layoffs in other sectors of the state service.”
Furthermore, Ganduje voiced concerns regarding the current government’s cancellation of promotions for civil servants, especially school teachers, and the subsequent payment of their salaries based on previous grade levels.
He views these actions as indicative of the state government’s broader intentions to implement a lower wage structure and, potentially, to replace the affected workers with members of their party.
“The harsh policy of the state government did not come as a surprise because they started this to pursue their plan for a lower wage, bearing in mind the ongoing negotiations of a new minimum wage, which they once described as an All Progressives Congress, APC, manifesto,” Ganduje remarked. “The measure was also pointing at their plan to sack the teachers and replace them with their members.”
In the statement, the former governor extended Eid greetings to the people of Kano State and urged Muslims to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice, which are central to Eid Adha celebrations.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of unity, mutual understanding, and support for one another during these economically challenging times.
“I also stress the need for unity, understanding, and support for one another particularly in this period of economic problem,” Ganduje concluded.
