The Kebbi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed support for Governor Nasir Idris, citing improvements in the condition of service of civil servants under his administration. In a statement, the NLC dismissed promises made by African Democratic Congress Governorship Candidate, Abubakar Malami, as "baseless political statements." Malami had promised to provide a "befitting Secretariat" and ensure prompt payment of workers' rights and privileges if elected governor in 2027.
Malami's promises were made during his Independence Day broadcast, where he outlined his plans for workers' welfare. However, the NLC argues that several of the issues raised by Malami had already been addressed by the present administration. The union stated that workers in Kebbi State had "never had it so good" under any other administration until Idris took office. The NLC Chairman, Comrade Murtala Usman, emphasized that the union ordinarily avoids political controversies but was compelled to respond because the claims directly concerned workers.
According to the NLC, the state government recently paid more than N7bn in inherited arrears relating to gratuities, death benefits, and leave grants. The union also cited the implementation of the new minimum wage, which was increased to N75,000, above the N70,000 national minimum wage approved by the federal government. Additionally, the government provided new coaster buses to facilitate transportation of civil servants to the state Secretariat and commissioned an ultra-modern Secretariat complex with a reported capacity of 25,000 people.
The NLC also pointed out that workers had been included among beneficiaries of the government's palliatives, including agricultural inputs. The union described Malami's campaign promises on workers' welfare as an attempt to create the impression that the concerns of civil servants remained unattended to. The statement accused Malami of overlooking developments already recorded by the present administration in his Independence Day address.
Malami's political campaign comes against the backdrop of legal proceedings involving the former minister and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged illicit acquisition of assets. The EFCC had secured court orders relating to the forfeiture of properties linked to Malami, while the former minister has denied wrongdoing. He is currently on bail in connection with the proceedings.
The controversy has added another dimension to the emerging political contest in Kebbi ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the APC administration seeking to defend its record and the ADC opposition positioning Malami as an alternative. The NLC, however, maintained that its intervention was focused on correcting what it considered misleading claims about the welfare of Kebbi workers rather than endorsing any political party.
The NLC chairman emphasized that civil servants in Kebbi have never had it so good as they are having under Governor Nasir Idris. The union urged politicians seeking the support of workers to base their campaign promises on the realities on the ground rather than presenting already implemented measures as future commitments. This development is expected to shape the political landscape in Kebbi State as the 2027 governorship election approaches.
Key points
- The Kebbi State NLC supports Governor Nasir Idris, citing improvements in workers' welfare under his administration.
- The NLC dismisses Abubakar Malami's campaign promises as "baseless political statements."
- Malami's campaign is complicated by ongoing legal proceedings with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
