The Kebbi State Government has clarified that former Governor Abubakar Musa, the state's first civilian governor, is not entitled to a pension or severance gratuity under applicable laws, according to Commissioner for Information and Culture Yakubu Ahmed. The clarification follows public allegations by Musa that the administration of Governor Nasir Idris had neglected him and withheld his entitlements.
Commissioner Cites Tenure Below Minimum Requirement
Ahmed explained that Musa, popularly known as Garkuwan-Yauri, governed the state from January 1992 to November 1993, a period of roughly 22 months. This tenure, he said, falls short of the two-year minimum required under the relevant legal provisions for a former governor to qualify for retirement benefits.
The commissioner insisted that the government's position rests entirely on constitutional and statutory grounds, with no political motivation behind the decision. He added that the 1999 Constitution does not allow for retrospective payment of such benefits to governors who served before it came into force, which further rules out any entitlement on Musa's part.
Government Extends Goodwill Despite No Legal Obligation
Despite the government's position on pension and gratuity, Ahmed said the Idris administration has continued to support the former governor in other ways. He said the government has provided financial assistance to Musa during religious festivities and has also sponsored his medical trips to Egypt.
The commissioner also pointed to a decision in 2025 to name a hall in the Government House after Garkuwan-Yauri as a mark of recognition for his contributions to the state. Additionally, the government appointed his son as a career ambassador.
Public Urged to Scrutinise Claims
Ahmed urged the public to weigh the former governor's claims carefully and called on anyone raising concerns through the media to back them with verifiable facts and figures. He said the administration remains committed to the rule of law, to maintaining respectful relations with elder statesmen, and to preserving their dignity in the interest of a united society.
In a related development, the Kebbi government declared Tuesday, June 16, as a public holiday in the state in celebration of Hijrah, the Islamic New Year. Governor Nasir Idris approved the declaration before it was announced by the permanent secretary on establishment, Hajiya Hafsat Tune, to allow people in the state, particularly civil servants, to observe the new year.
