The Kebbi State Government has defended its decision of not paying pension and severance gratuity to the state’s first civilian governor, Abubakar Musa, saying he does not qualify for the benefits under the applicable legal provisions. The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed- explained that Garkuwan-Yauri served as governor…...
The Kebbi State Government has defended its decision of not paying pension and severance gratuity to the state’s first civilian governor, Abubakar Musa, saying he does not qualify for the benefits under the applicable legal provisions.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed- explained that Garkuwan-Yauri served as governor from January 1992 to November 1993, a period of about 22 months, which fell short of the two-year minimum tenure required for certain retirement benefits.
The commissioner said the clarification became neccesary in response
to the allegations by the former governor that the administration of Governor Nasir Idris had neglected him and withheld his entitlements.
He maintained that the government’s position was based on constitutional and statutory provisions, not political considerations, adding that the 1999 Constitution did not provide for retrospective payment of such benefits to governors who served before its commencement.
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Ahmed, however, said the Idris administration had continued to extend goodwill and assistance to the former governor, including financial support during religious festivities and sponsorship of medical trips to Egypt.
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He also cited the naming of a Government House hall after Garkuwan-Yauri in 2025 and the appointment of his son as a career ambassador as part of the administration’s recognition of the former governor’s contributions.
The commissioner appealed for understanding, insisting that while the government respects the former governor’s right to express his concerns, public allegations should be supported by verifiable facts and figures.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to respecting the rule of law, maintaining cordial relations with elder statesmen and protecting their dignity in other to have a united society.