Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has paid N5,604,205,998 to 1,198 former councillors, clearing outstanding entitlements. The move drew praise from Kano State House of Assembly Speaker Jibrin Falgore, who endorsed Yusuf for a second term.
Yusuf explained that the councillors, all from the APC, were owed payments for their service between 2018 and 2023, which the Abdullahi Ganduje administration had failed to settle.
After a five-year delay, the governor has now disbursed over N5.6 billion in severance and furniture allowances to these councillors.
Earlier, in May 2025, Yusuf paid N1.8 billion to 903 former councillors who served between 2014 and 2017, marking the first tranche. The current N5.6 billion payment represents the second tranche.
Speaking during the handover of funds, Falgore said, “The only way we can repay him is to reelect him in 2027.”
Governor Yusuf confirmed that bankers had been instructed to credit the councillors’ accounts immediately.
He revealed that he inherited a total liability of N15.6 billion from the previous APC-led administration, which failed to pay councillors across the 44 local government areas for the 2014–2020 period.
Calling the payment a milestone, Yusuf highlighted his administration’s commitment to restoring dignity, fairness, and justice at the grassroots level.
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“These are moments when we rise above the ordinary to restore dignity, fairness, and justice to those who have served with loyalty and dedication. Today, by the grace of Allah, is one of the defining moments in the history of Kano State.
“It is my belief that many of you have already started receiving your alerts, as I instructed the bankers to begin crediting your accounts even before I finished my speech,” he added.
The governor said preparations are ongoing for the third and final tranche of N8.2 billion, which will cover 1,371 former councillors, and is expected to be disbursed by the second week of November.
Yusuf emphasized that the payment goes beyond financial obligation. “Government is not only about building roads, schools, or hospitals. It is also about building trust and honoring those who have served,” he said.