The Kano State House of Assembly has maintained that the Kano State Governor has the authority to extend the service year beyond standard 60 years of age and 35 years of service.
Mr. Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, press secretary to the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, made an assertion regarding a request dated January 6, 2025, from Barrister Usman Dan’Abdullo, a lawyer.
He pointed out that, “This is not the first instance of tenure extension for public servants in Nigeria, as seen previously when President Muhammadu Buhari prolonged the service period of Service Chiefs during his administration.”
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In the letter, tagged ” Call for House intervention to safeguard the rule of law by removing excessive of Executive Power Manifest in Executive Order No. 1 of 2025 issued by Executive Governor of Kano State
Barrister Dan’Abdullo in the letter reminded the Speaker and members of the Assembly that the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, extended the service period of certain government officials, including the Head of Service, Clerk of the House, and some judicial officers, by two years, despite existing laws that require retirement at 60 years of age or 35 years of service.
The decision was made through Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, signed on January 1, 2025, just a day after the effective date of the laws regulating service years in Kano State.
The affected officials were initially due for retirement by December 2024, but the Governor’s order has allowed them to continue serving for another two years.
Barrister Dan’Abdullo however stated that the Executive Order No 1 has clearly a violation of the principle of law.
He further urged Kano State House of Assembly to intervene, noting that Executive Order No 1 has flagrant violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, which clearly defined the mandate of the Governor.
He argued the situation has left regulatory authorities, such as the Civil Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission, in a legal dilemma.
He also explained that In an effort to address the issue, these authorities may be forced to make further compromises, potentially leading to additional violations of laws and administrative protocols.
Moreover, according to him, the decision may set a precedent for future leaders to perpetuate their loved ones in sensitive positions, undermining the principles of fairness and transparency.
He argued that the governor’s use of executive orders in this manner could have far-reaching consequences, including the erosion of trust in the government and the perpetuation of favoritism, noting As such, there is a need for careful consideration and scrutiny of the governor’s actions to ensure that they align with the principles of good governance and the rule of law.