LGs DPMs, Treasurers’ Suspension: Inside story why Gov Abdulrazaq is yet to act on KWHA resolution one week after

By Mumini AbdulKareem and Kayode Adeoti

Why is Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq still dragging foot on the resolution passed by the Kwara State House of Assembly for him to suspend Local Government Directors of Personnel Management (DPM) and treasurers over alleged act of financial misappropriation?
The lawmakers last Tuesday in a replica of its resolution on the Local Government chairmen had similarly requested the governor to wield the big stick on the governing council of the Kwara State University, (KWASU) Malete, the Local Government DPMs and accounting officers.
However, in sharp contrast to the swiftness with which the Governor implemented the initial resolution, where the House called for the suspension of the 16 council chairmen, this time, there have been a lull in the execution of the request by the state legislature.
The development, it was gathered, has caused anxiety and uncertainty for the affected officials across the 16 LGs in Kwara State as they are yet to receive any official communication from the state government regarding their plight one week after the lawmakers’ call.
Multiple sources including some of the DPMs and government officials who are conversant with the development, confided in National Pilot last night on why the Governor was yet to yield to the call.
It was learnt that the Governor following pressures and advices from some top party chieftains and administrators in the state over the issue had refused to act to avoid the ripples that has trailed the local government chairmen’s episode which is still in court.
“There have been pressures from many quarters for the governor to stay action on the resolution of the House following the backlash that had trailed the suspension of the local government chairmen. And moreover, these people are civil servants unlike the chairmen who are politicians.
“Some of the affected workers will also be retiring very soon with some even less than a month. While the pressure is being mounted, there have also been series of appeals for the Governor to look away from the resolution of the House of Assembly. That is why unlike the first resolution which of the lawmakers which was implemented in few hours, this one going to a week now and there is every possibility that it will not be implemented”, one of the sources submitted.
This medium also reliably gathered over the weekend that the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and some traditional rulers after the lawmakers’ recommendation have mounted pressure on the Governor to stay action.
The NULGE President in the state, Comrade Yusuf Ayinla Saliu confirmed the intervention of the union last night.
In a telephone chat, Saliu said NULGE, have written Governor Abdulrazaq to temper justice with mercy over the issue adding that the Chief Executive Officer of the state is expected to officially reply the letter on Monday (today).
Saliu stressed that the House of Assembly lacks power to suspend any civil servants who have statutory years of office saying such development was unwarranted.
According to him, the DPMs with their treasurers are employed by the state government based on the civil service rules to work for 35 years unlike the council chairmen who are elected to serve in public office.
“We are not politicians, we’re just trying to make things right, House of Assembly has neither right nor jurisdiction to recommend suspension of DPMs and the treasurers. We’ve written to the governor under labour movement and we are still expecting a sort of official response.
“Though, it is still a recommendation, it is left for the governor to cede to it or not. The labour movement in Kwara State felt the development is unconstitutional.
“Before a civil servant could be suspended, there must be an indictment which could be followed by a suspension. Their case is different from that of local government chairmen who are politicians and they are under House of Assembly.
“Constitutionally, the rule of the civil service, once you take up the job, you must complete your 35 years in service unless there is an overwhelming issue gainst you. These people have no offence. 75 per cent of those affected have less than three months to the expiration of their years of service. If they go on suspension for six months, it is as good as sacking them.”
Saliu however commended the Governor for reshuffling the DPMs saying there is nothing bad in the development. He added that they are civil servants and they can work in any council.
“We are in support of how the DPMs were transferred, local government system is one, and they can work anywhere. They’ve reported in the various councils they were transferred to,” Saliu divulged.
In the same vein, traditional rulers across the state reportedly met the Governor on the need not to enforce the lawmakers’ resolution.
According to one of the DPMs who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye II, personally intervened in the matter by meeting Governor Abdulrazaq on the issue on behalf of the traditional rulers.
He said, “There was practically nothing the traditional leaders can do in the case of the council chairmen who were earlier suspended because they are politicians but in our own case, we are civil servants. The traditional rulers took a bold step by meeting the Governor not to enforce the resolution of the lawmakers.
“That is why the Governor has not done anything on the matter other than to reshuffle the DPMs. This development is to avert any form of corruption.”
Efforts to get the Olofa were unsuccessful last night. Calls to his mobile phone were not answered. Response to a text message sent to him over the issue was still being awaited before this paper went to bed.