Kano Assembly Backs Governor Yusuf on Civil Service Extension Amid Legal Controversy
The Kano State House of Assembly has affirmed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf holds the authority to extend the service years of civil servants beyond the statutory retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service. This clarification was made by the Assembly’s Public Relations Secretary, Kamaluddin Sani Shawai, in response to concerns raised over the governor’s recent decision to grant a two-year extension to several senior government officials.
The issue was brought to the Assembly’s attention following a petition from legal practitioner Barrister Usman Dan Abdullo, dated January 6. In his letter, Abdullo criticized Governor Yusuf’s approval of extended service years for key officials, including the Accountant of the State House of Assembly, the Head of Civil Service in Kano, and select judiciary personnel. He contended that the move was a direct violation of existing civil service regulations, which mandate retirement at the age of 60 or after 35 years of service.
Despite the concerns, Shawai emphasized that this is not an unprecedented practice, stating that similar extensions have been granted in previous administrations. He acknowledged that while some groups have taken legal action to challenge such decisions, the government’s position remains firm.
Abdullo, however, insists that the governor’s action contradicts Nigeria’s Constitution and the National Labor Act, fueling an ongoing legal debate on the legitimacy of the extensions. The controversy has sparked reactions from labor unions and civil service organizations, with calls for a clear legal interpretation of the governor’s discretionary powers in such matters.
As discussions continue, the fate of the affected civil servants remains uncertain, leaving the state government to navigate the legal and administrative implications of its decision.
