Kebbi Govt Suspends Teacher After Rejecting Ramadan Palliatives Over Bad Governance

Reports have emerged that a school teacher in Kebbi State, Abduljalal Usman, has been suspended for three months without salary after allegedly rejecting a Ramadan palliative and speaking out against what he described as bad governance.

Sources told newsmen on Saturday that Usman declined “one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet” offered as Ramadan palliatives by the state government.

The items were part of a distribution programme meant to provide relief to residents during the fasting period.

However, the teacher’s refusal of the items and his criticism of the programme have now led to disciplinary action against him by authorities in the state under Governor Nasir Idris.

In a letter of suspension issued by the education secretary at the Dandi Local government education authority, Kamba, Kebbi State, the victim was accused of negligence of duty.

"For negligence and defaulting to duty, the authority is hereby suspending you to it's duty for a period of three months," the letter read.

The letter did not state the exact act of negligence of duty Abduljalal carried out.

Those who condemned the action said the teacher was being punished for refusing the Ramadan gesture and for speaking out against bad governance in the state.

“Under the leadership of Nasir idris, the Kebbi State Government is now punishing teachers for refusing humiliation and for criticising the weaponisation of poverty,” another source said.

The situation was further described as “bias, incompetence and total abuse of power,” with critics arguing that teachers should not face punitive measures for expressing their views.

“Teachers deserve dignity, fair pay and respect not intimidation for speaking the truth,” another source added.