Kano Government Dismisses Claims of Governance Paralysis

The Kano State Government has firmly rejected reports suggesting that a recent directive issued by Governor Abba Yusuf has stalled governance activities across the state, describing such claims as inaccurate and misleading.

The directive, which instructed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to temporarily halt the submission of files to the governor’s office, was characterised by the government as a standard fiscal control step taken in accordance with established procedures.

In a statement released on Friday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar F. Ibrahim, the administration clarified that the instruction was issued in late December, a period marked by the winding down of the 2025 Appropriation Law and the ongoing consideration of the 2026 budget by the State House of Assembly.

According to the government, the timing of the directive was deliberate, aimed at ensuring prudence and strict adherence to due process, particularly in matters with financial implications.

“The directive was issued at a point when fiscal discipline and legality required restraint in executive approvals, especially those that could create new financial obligations without the backing of a valid appropriation law,” the statement noted.

The government explained that the temporary measure was designed to forestall unauthorised spending, prevent illegal commitments, and shield the state from potential audit liabilities.

Despite this, the directive sparked public discussion following media reports alleging that it had led to an administrative logjam, with claims that files were piling up at the Government House and being returned to MDAs, thereby slowing governance processes.

Some reports, quoting unnamed sources, described the decision as unprecedented and warned that it could impede urgent matters, including health-related emergencies and disaster response.

Addressing these concerns, the state government stressed that essential services in critical sectors such as security, healthcare, education, and environmental sanitation remained fully operational under existing statutory approvals.

“Contrary to claims of administrative paralysis, the directive represents a responsible fiscal safeguard aimed at preventing illegal expenditures and protecting the state from financial and legal exposure,” Ibrahim stated.

The government further noted that the measure helped check the longstanding practice of hurried end-of-year approvals, which often compromise transparency, accountability, and sound financial management within the public service.

It clarified that the directive only imposed a temporary pause on the escalation of new discretionary matters to the governor’s office, while MDAs continued to function within the limits of their legal and administrative authority.

The clarification comes amid heightened political activities in the state, as the governor engages in consultations within and beyond Kano, against the backdrop of speculation surrounding potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Describing the reports of governance breakdown as regrettable, the state government maintained that the decision reflected foresight, discipline, and respect for the rule of law rather than any disruption of public administration.

“The public is assured that government operations have continued seamlessly, and once the transitional administrative reviews are concluded, further directives will be issued to guide the next phase of executive engagement,” the statement added.

The Kano State Government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, efficient service delivery, and the prudent management of public resources in the interest of the people of the state.