Gov Yusuf pays opposition APC councillors’ severance allowance, gratuity Ganduje owed
By KEMI KASUMU
While speaking during the second payment of severance gratuity and furniture allowance, the ex- councillors who are largely members of the opposition APC, blamed the former Governor of Kano State and the immediate past National Chairman of the APC for denying them their entitlements.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disbursed N5.6 billion to settle the backlog of severance and gratuity entitlements, including accommodation and leave allowances, owed to 1,198 former councillors who served between 2018 and 2020 during the administration of ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the payment is said to represent the second batch of liabilities inherited from the previous administration.
The DEFENDER reports that in May 2025, Governor Yusuf had released N1.8 billion to 903 former councillors in the first phase of the exercise.
Speaking at the disbursement ceremony held at Coronation Hall, Government House, the governor explained that his administration inherited a total of N15.6 billion in outstanding obligations to former councillors.
He assured that the final tranche of N8.2 billion, covering 1,371 beneficiaries, would be cleared by November to finally close the long-standing arrears.
The governor stressed that addressing the backlog was part of his covenant of fairness, accountability, and justice.
“This is more than a financial settlement. It is about restoring dignity, fairness, and justice to those who sacrificed for grassroots governance,” he said.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to spend the funds responsibly to improve their families’ welfare and contribute to the progress of their communities.
The event was marked by jubilation as many councillors received instant payment alerts at the venue of the event.
While speaking during the second payment of severance gratuity and furniture allowance, the ex- councillors who are largely members of the opposition APC, blamed the former Governor of Kano State and immediate past National Chairman of the APC for denying them their entitlements.
“We wish to express our unalloyed respect to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who despite our political difference, was able to be fair and just to us, we remain indebted to him throughout his first and second tenure” said, the leader of the group.
