The Kano State Government has rejected reports claiming that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s directive caused an administrative shutdown in the state.
Some media outlets alleged that a late-2025 order by the governor, which temporarily prevented Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from sending files to his office, had ‘grounded public administration’.
Responding in a statement on Saturday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruq Ibrahim, described the reports as false and misleading.
‘The Government wishes to state clearly and unequivocally that this claim is incorrect, misleading and devoid of factual or legal basis’, Ibrahim said.
He explained that the directive was issued in late December, when the 2025 budget had expired and the new budget was still before the House of Assembly.
According to him, the move was merely a temporary pause on new discretionary matters being sent to the governor, pending guidance under the new fiscal framework.
‘In such a circumstance, prudence, legality and respect for due process demand restraint in executive approvals, particularly those that may carry financial implications’, the SSG said.
He added that the decision was taken to prevent spending without proper approval and to protect the state from future audit issues.
‘Far from grounding public administration, the directive was a responsible administrative and fiscal control measure, taken to prevent unauthorised expenditures’, he said.
Ibrahim stressed that government activities have continued without disruption, noting that key services such as security, healthcare, education and sanitation remain operational under existing approvals.
He also said the measure helped MDAs operate within the law and prevented the usual end-of-year rush for approvals that can undermine transparency.
‘The Kano State Government therefore finds it unfortunate that a lawful, precautionary and governance-driven decision has been misrepresented as administrative paralysis’, he said.
The SSG assured residents that once the ongoing administrative review is completed, ‘appropriate directives will be issued to guide the next phase of executive operations’.
He added that Governor Yusuf remains committed to transparency, effective service delivery, and careful management of public funds in Kano State.
