Why 5 Kano Ex-Commissioners Refused To Return Official Cars

Five former commissioners in Kano State have explained why they declined to return their official vehicles after resigning from the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf following the latter’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that their actions were backed by law.

Recall that five vehicles were forcibly recovered by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) from the Commissioners on Thursda, saying its action was backed by a court order after the former officials allegedly ignored multiple directives to return government property.

Chairman of the commission, Saidu Yahaya, who led the recovery exercise, said the action became necessary after due process was followed.

“Of course, there are five commissioners who resigned their appointments from this government recently. There are official vehicles attached to them. They were advised to return the vehicles, but they turned deaf ears. We followed due process and the court granted us permission to recover the vehicles,” Yahaya said.

He disclosed that one vehicle was recovered from each of the five former commissioners.

“Out of the five vehicles recovered, two are official vehicles. The remaining three were not official vehicles. We will investigate to determine whether the official vehicles were sold to procure these ones or ascertain their actual status,” he added.

Yahaya further stated that both the state government and the commission had earlier written to the former commissioners requesting the return of the vehicles before commencing legal action.

However, fresh facts have emerged as to why the Commissioners refused to return their officials, saying their action too was backed by law.

In a joint letter dated February 17, 2026, addressed to the Secretary to the Kano State Government, the former commissioners, among others, defended their decision, citing provisions of the 2023 Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission Act (as amended).

“We acknowledged the receipt of your letter referenced SSG/AGS/R/39/T.III dated 16th February, 2026, on the above subject,” the letter read.

“The contents of your request regarding the return of official vehicles following our voluntary resignation as Members of the State Executive Council, your kind attention is drawn to the extant provisions governing this matter as contained in the relevant provision of the 2023 Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission Act (as amended).”

They argued that the law relates to the welfare and entitlements of appointed political officeholders and provides official vehicles to certain categories of public and political office holders, including members of the State Executive Council, as part of their conditions of service.

“In a nutshell, the cited law principally relates to the welfare and entitlements of appointed political officeholders; it aptly prescribed that official vehicles are provided to certain category of public/political office holders, members of the State Executive Council inclusive, as part of their condition of service,” the letter stated.

The former commissioners added that similar privileges had been extended to past officials in comparable circumstances.

“Having served the good people of the State diligently and meticulously to the best of our abilities, it is desirable that gestures of this nature, validly covered by the provision of the law be observed and duly respected. Suffice to say that such privileges were previously extended to ex-members of the State Executive Council in similar circumstances as per records available.”

The letter was jointly signed by Hon. Nasiru Sani Garo, Former Commissioner, Ministry for Special Duties; AVM Ibrahim Umar (rtd); former Commissioner, Ministry for Internal Security, Dr. Adams Aliyu Kibiya; former Commissioner, Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, Former Commissioner, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, and Mustapha Rabiu, Former Commissioner, Ministry of Youth.

The controversy came amid political realignments in the state following Governor Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to APC.

The affected former commissioners are loyalists of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.