Resign if you fear the job, Kano governor tells anti-graft agency officials

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has directly challenged officials at the state's Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), demanding they either perform their duties with vigor or step down. The governor expressed disappointment, noting a significant decline in the agency's enforcement activities and public presence since the departure of its former chairman, Muhuyi Magaji.

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You have sworn with the Quran to discharge your responsibility; if you are afraid to fight, then you have to resign.

Speaking on Thursday at the Government House during the launch of subsidized fertilizer distribution to farmers, Governor Yusuf urged the new chairman, Sa’idu Yahaya, appointed in August 2025, to resign if he felt unable to fulfill his responsibilities. "The fighting momentum is no longer there like what we used to hear and see," Yusuf stated, emphasizing that combating corruption requires a resilient mindset and a readiness to face backlash, blackmail, and public disapproval.

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The fighting momentum is no longer there like what we used to hear and see.

He warned the officials to brace themselves for the challenges inherent in fighting corruption, reminding them of their oath. "You have sworn with the Quran to discharge your responsibility; if you are afraid to fight, then you have to resign," he declared. Yusuf demanded an immediate restoration of the agency's previous high-standard enforcement strategies, including high-profile arrests and transparency, warning against any regression in the state's anti-graft campaign.

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I am calling on the chairman of the state anti-corruption agency to tighten his belt because fighting corruption is not an easy task.

"I want to see a very strong anti-corruption agency managed by strong people. I like working with fearless people; we cannot be afraid of anyone," the governor asserted. He urged leaders not to operate with fear or sycophancy, but with a clear understanding of the government's purpose. In a move that appeared to signal a lack of confidence, Governor Yusuf also appealed to federal anti-graft bodies, specifically the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to monitor the distribution of subsidized fertilizer across Kano State. The head of the state anti-corruption agency, Mr. Yahaya, was unavailable for comment.

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You must not lead with fear and sycophancy; you must believe that government exists