By Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Labour and teachers’ leaders in Kebbi State have defended Governor Nasir Idris’s record on workers’ welfare and education, as his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, criticised the campaign promises of African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Abubakar Malami.
The exchanges come as political mobilisation gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking support for the governor’s continued leadership.
Zuru said beneficiaries of the administration’s programmes had expressed appreciation for its interventions in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and workers’ welfare.
NLC Cites Payment of Workers’ Entitlements
The Kebbi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Murtala Usman, acknowledged the administration’s payment of inherited pension and gratuity obligations and its continued settlement of workers’ entitlements.
“Civil servants in Kebbi State have never had it so good,” Usman said.
The NLC also criticised Malami’s Independence Day promises concerning prompt salary payments and a befitting secretariat, arguing that the administration had already addressed those issues.
The union cited the secretariat complex inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu and payments exceeding ₦7 billion towards inherited obligations, including gratuities, death benefits and pensions.
The dispute follows earlier criticism of Malami’s welfare pledges by the Kebbi NLC and the governor’s aide.
Teachers’ Union Highlights Education Interventions
The Nigeria Union of Teachers in Kebbi also defended the administration’s education policies. Its chairman, Comrade Zaki Sarki, highlighted the extension of teachers’ service limits from 35 to 40 years and retirement age from 60 to 65.
He praised the provision of teaching and learning materials, describing the interventions as unprecedented in the state.
The union’s account listed the rehabilitation of more than 3,000 primary and secondary schools, construction of 300 new schools, recruitment of over 2,000 teachers and a 300 per cent increase in student feeding allowances.
Other measures cited included implementation of a ₦75,000 minimum wage with arrears and allowances for primary school headmasters.
The Bureau Journal has previously reported on teachers’ salaries and allowances in Kebbi and the administration’s primary school teachers’ remuneration record.
Emir of Yauri Praises Projects Across Three LGAs
During a courtesy visit by Idris, the Emir of Yauri, Dr. Zayyanu Abdullahi, praised projects serving residents of Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski local government areas.
He cited schools, hospitals, upgraded healthcare centres, medical equipment, ambulances and road projects among the interventions.
The Emir also acknowledged a multipurpose secondary school, the upgrade of the General Hospital to referral status, improvements to traditional institutions and the provision of official vehicles.
Free farming inputs and relief distributions were also identified as programmes benefiting residents.
Education and institutional development have featured in other state initiatives, including accreditation efforts at the health college in Jega and the constitution of a new governing council for AFUSTA.
Governor’s Aide Raises Allegations Over Jega Violence
Zuru accused ADC figures of spreading false claims and alleged that people linked to the party’s leadership were responsible for the destruction of APC billboards, posters and supporters’ vehicles in Jega.
The allegations were attributed to the governor’s aide. The account did not include an investigative finding establishing responsibility or a response from the ADC.
The Kebbi State Government urged security agencies to investigate the reported violence and bring those responsible to justice.
It also called on traditional and religious leaders to encourage peaceful electioneering and discourage actions capable of threatening public order.
Campaign Debate Centres on Record and Promises
Zuru maintained that the governor’s development and welfare programmes provided a basis for seeking renewed electoral support.
The NLC and NUT leaders similarly argued that campaign promises should take account of measures already implemented for workers and teachers.
The competing claims place workers’ welfare, education, infrastructure and peaceful campaigning among the issues shaping Kebbi’s governorship contest.
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