A school teacher in Kebbi State, Abduljalal Usman, has reportedly been suspended for three months without pay after allegedly rejecting a Ramadan relief package and criticizing what he described as poor governance.
Sources said the teacher declined the items—“one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet”—distributed by the state government as part of a Ramadan support initiative for residents.
His refusal of the palliative and his criticism of the program reportedly triggered disciplinary action from authorities under Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi State.
A suspension letter issued by the education secretary of the Dandi Local Government Education Authority accused Usman of “negligence of duty.” However, the letter did not clearly outline the specific act that constituted the alleged negligence.
Critics claim the disciplinary action is linked to the teacher’s refusal to accept the Ramadan gesture and his public criticism of the government. Some observers argue that the move raises concerns about freedom of expression among public workers.
Others have described the suspension as unfair and questioned why a teacher should face sanctions for expressing personal views about governance.
Some commentators also pointed out the irony that Governor Idris himself previously worked as a classroom teacher before entering politics.
