A school teacher in Kebbi State, Abduljalal Usman, has reportedly been suspended for three months without salary after allegedly rejecting a Ramadan palliative and speaking out against what he described as poor governance in the state.
In a Video obtained by The News Chronicle on Saturday, Usman declined the Ramadan relief items distributed by the state government, which included “one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet.” The items were part of a programme aimed at providing support to residents during the fasting period.
However, the teacher’s refusal of the items and his criticism of the distribution exercise reportedly led to disciplinary action by authorities in the state under Governor Nasir Idris.
“For negligence and defaulting to duty, the authority is hereby suspending you from its duty for a period of three months,” the letter stated.
The letter, however, did not specify the exact act of negligence allegedly committed by the teacher.
Sources familiar with the matter claimed that the disciplinary action was linked to Usman’s refusal of the Ramadan palliative and his criticism of governance in the state.
One source alleged that the state government was punishing the teacher for rejecting what he described as a humiliating gesture and for speaking out against what he called the “weaponisation of poverty.”
“Under the leadership of Nasir Idris, the Kebbi State Government is now punishing teachers for refusing humiliation and for criticising the weaponisation of poverty,” the source said.
Critics have described the action as an abuse of power, arguing that teachers should not face punitive measures for expressing their opinions.
“Teachers deserve dignity, fair pay and respect, not intimidation for speaking the truth,” another source said.
The development has sparked debate among education stakeholders and civil society advocates, particularly because Governor Idris himself was once a classroom teacher before entering politics. Observers say the situation is surprising to many who expected greater empathy toward educators in the state.
The incident has also raised concerns about freedom of expression and the welfare of teachers within Kebbi State’s public education system.
Reports indicated that some communities have only one health post that is barely functional, lacking trained health workers, essential medicines and medical equipment.
Residents had also expressed difficulties accessing treatment due to poverty and the high cost of transportation to hospitals in nearby towns.
