Governor Aliyu’s intervention in workers’ loan deduction crisis deserves praise
By Shehu Musa
Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has pledged to intervene in the workers’ loan repayments that were deducted from their salaries but never remitted to the respective banks.
According to a release signed by Press Secretary to Sokoto State Governent, Abubakar Bawa, on Sunday, the Governor made this commitment while responding to an appeal by the Sokoto State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu, who urged the state government to intervene in the matter.
The NLC chairperson said many workers who took loans through salary deductions have continued to suffer due to the failure of officials in the previous administration to remit the deductions to the banks.
In a nation where civil servants are often subjected to financial hardship and administrative neglect, the recent commitment by Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu to probe and resolve the case of unremitted loan deductions from workers’ salaries stands out as a courageous and laudable decision. Governor Aliyu’s pledge to investigate and rectify this long-standing injustice marks not just a political gesture, but a moral statement—one that affirms the principle that governance must serve the people first and foremost.
The issue at hand is both troubling and deeply unjust. Workers in Sokoto State who accessed loans through salary deduction schemes are now languishing in debt limbo because their repayments—duly deducted from their wages—were never transmitted to the lending banks. This lapse, reportedly carried over from the previous administration, has left these workers in a precarious financial position. Their creditworthiness has been tarnished, they are being harassed by financial institutions, and their hopes of ever accessing credit again have been cruelly dashed. This is more than a bureaucratic failure; it is a gross violation of trust and a blatant breach of financial ethics.
That Governor Aliyu chose to respond promptly and positively to the appeal by Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu, the Chairperson of the Sokoto State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), speaks volumes about his leadership style and his sensitivity to the plight of the common man. The NLC chairperson’s impassioned plea that the governor apply his popular slogan, “in kudi kudi, in aiki aiki,” to recover the misappropriated funds was met not with indifference, but with assurance. This is the mark of a responsive and responsible government.
By promising to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, Governor Aliyu is demonstrating that he understands the importance of transparency and accountability in public office. More importantly, he is restoring faith in the very institution of governance, which many had begun to see as either ineffectual or complicit in systemic injustice. His declaration that the current administration “prioritizes human rights and will not condone any violations under any guise” provides a much-needed ray of hope to workers who had long given up on justice.
Governor Aliyu’s stance is particularly commendable because it involves confronting the failures of a previous government. Many politicians shy away from addressing the misconduct of their predecessors, either out of political convenience or fear of backlash. But a leader truly committed to reform must be willing to clean up inherited messes, no matter how politically inconvenient. This intervention not only signals his integrity but also shows that he is not in office merely to enjoy the trappings of power, but to right wrongs and leave a legacy of justice.
The economic impact of this move cannot be overstated. For workers living paycheck to paycheck, the unremitted loan deductions are not just numbers on a balance sheet—they are the difference between stability and despair. By initiating corrective action, the governor is not only offering financial relief to these workers, but also stimulating broader economic confidence. Restoring the credibility of payroll-linked loans, for instance, can encourage more financial institutions to support public servants in the future, fostering a healthier economic ecosystem.
Moreover, this action will likely improve government-worker relations, which are often strained in many states due to wage disputes and lack of benefits. Governor Aliyu’s decision will boost morale among civil servants, many of whom feel undervalued and overburdened. Knowing that their leader is willing to fight for their rights could inspire a renewed sense of dedication and loyalty among the workforce—a crucial factor in driving the governor’s broader developmental agenda.
The call by the governor for continued public support and prayers should not go unheeded. The people of Sokoto State now have a clear signal that they are being heard, that their grievances matter, and that leadership is being wielded in their interest. In return, it is only fair that they give their support to the administration, not just through votes and political loyalty, but through civic participation and constructive engagement.
In all, Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s intervention in the matter of workers’ unremitted loan deductions is a textbook example of leadership in action. It is a reminder that public office is a public trust and that real leadership means stepping into the pain of the people to deliver justice. This singular act of courage and compassion deserves not just applause, but emulation by other leaders across the country. Let Sokoto stand as a beacon, proving that governance rooted in empathy and justice is still possible in Nigeria.
Shehu Musa writes from Sokoto, Sokoto State