Abba Yusuf places new commissioners on six-month probation

Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, says commissioners in his cabinet who perform below expectations will be dropped from the administration.

Addressing the commissioners at a maiden executive council meeting on Wednesday, Yusuf said their permanent appointments are dependent on a six-month probation period.

“Let me urge you all to sustain the tempo of loyalty, dedication, commitment to duty and be honest in the discharge of your duties, accountable, and mindful of the confidence repose in us by the good people,” the governor said.

“I am reminding you that your appointment is on probation for six months period after which a monitoring and evaluation team under my headship will be monitoring the performances of the ministries and those who performed well will be appreciated and those who underperformed will be pulled out.”

Prior to their appointments as commissioners, Yusuf had directed the nominees, at the time, to declare their assets in compliance with the code of conduct rules.

He said no nominee would be sworn in as a member of his cabinet without filling the assets declaration form issued by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), adding that transparency and accountability remain principles of his administration.

Yusuf asked the officials to unite and deliver the state from the “mismanagement” by the immediate past administration.

Since he assumed office on May 29, the governor of Kano has embarked on the demolition of properties which he said were illegally erected during the tenure of Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of the state.

Yusuf’s actions drew criticism and sparked outrage from residents of the state, with traders lamenting losses worth millions of naira owing to the ongoing demolition.

However, Yusuf said his action was not a vendetta but for the good of Kano.