Kano State Government has dismissed media reports alleging that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s directive to halt the forwarding of files to his office has caused administrative paralysis in the state.
In a statement signed by Umar F. Ibrahim, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the government described the reports as “false and misleading,” saying they are “devoid of factual or legal basis.”
The statement explained that the directive was issued towards the end of December when the state’s Appropriation Law for the outgoing fiscal year had elapsed and the new budget was still under legislative consideration.
It added that under such circumstances, “prudence, legality and respect for due process demand restraint in executive approvals, particularly those that may carry financial implications.”
The government said the directive was not aimed at stalling governance but was meant to enforce fiscal discipline.
It described the measure as “a responsible administrative and fiscal control” taken to prevent unauthorized expenditures, avoid illegal financial commitments, and protect the state from future audit queries and legal exposure.
“No new spending commitments should be undertaken in the absence of a valid appropriation law,” the statement stressed.
The government further assured the public that operations continued uninterrupted, noting that essential services in security, healthcare, education, and sanitation remained fully functional under existing statutory provisions and standing approvals.
It said the directive only placed a temporary pause on new discretionary matters being escalated to the governor’s office, pending further guidance aligned with the new fiscal framework.
The statement added that the move strengthened governance by ensuring MDAs operate strictly within their lawful mandates, while preventing end-of-year rush approvals that undermine transparency and fiscal discipline.
Expressing regret over the misrepresentation of the directive as administrative paralysis, the government said the action reflects “foresight, discipline and respect for the rule of law.”
The statement concluded that once transitional administrative reviews are concluded, appropriate directives will be issued to guide the next phase of executive operations, reiterating the government’s commitment to transparency, effective service delivery and prudent management of public resources.
Online Report Claims Administrative Gridlock
An online media report (not Kano Times) claimed that there is administrative gridlock in Kano as Governor Abba Yusuf directed ministries, departments, and agencies to stop sending files to his office pending further directives.
The report further stated that the directive was issued as the governor was engaged in political meetings in Kano and Abuja in preparation for his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It added that the directive was announced to commissioners by the Secretary to the State Government, Farouk Ibrahim, at the end of the State Executive Council meeting held on December 18, 2025, and chaired by the governor.
According to the report, volumes of untreated files that have piled up at the Kano Government House since September have been returned to the ministries, departments, and agencies.
