Tension is reaching a breaking point at the Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as workers are reportedly preparing for a massive peaceful protest on Monday over the alleged continued retention of the Council’s Director of Finance, Miss Rabi Muhammad Loko, despite what staff insist is her statutory retirement after completing 35 years of service.
The development follows growing outrage among members of staff, who allege that the continued stay of the Finance Director in office amounts to a violation of the Public Service Rules and reflects a pattern of impunity within the Council’s administration.
According to multiple sources within the Council who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, Miss Loko attained the mandatory retirement threshold on August 4, 2026, after completing 35 years in public service. The sources alleged that despite this, she neither proceeded on the mandatory pre-retirement leave nor formally handed over the affairs of the Finance Department as required by the Public Service Rules.
The workers further alleged that the Executive Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Nuhu Daniel, has personally assured Miss Loko that she will remain in office, allegedly insisting that no individual or group—including members of staff—can determine who occupies the position of Director of Finance.
According to the sources, the Chairman has allegedly defended his position by arguing that the extension of service beyond retirement is not unprecedented, claiming that even at the federal level some public officers have remained in office after reaching retirement. The workers, however, insist that such justification cannot override the Public Service Rules governing local government employees.
Council workers who spoke to Chronicles Reporters said frustration has reached its peak, with many insisting that Monday’s planned peaceful protest is intended to defend the integrity of the Public Service Rules rather than target any individual. They argued that if the rules are ignored in one case, it sets a dangerous precedent capable of undermining discipline, morale and accountability across the local government service.
An earlier anonymous petition made available to Chronicles Reporters had similarly raised concerns over Miss Loko’s alleged continued stay in office after retirement.
According to the petition, Miss Loko reportedly attained the statutory retirement threshold after completing 35 years of service on August 4, 2026, but neither proceeded on the mandatory pre-retirement leave nor formally handed over the affairs of the Finance Department upon retirement.
The petitioner stated that, to the knowledge of staff, no official announcement had been made approving an extension of her service or authorising her to continue performing the functions of Director of Finance after retirement.
The petition further alleged that her continued presence has created uncertainty among members of staff, many of whom are questioning whether due process is still being observed within the Council.
The petition also alleged that Miss Loko’s management style attracted criticism from some staff members, who described it as high-handed.
As an example of the growing dissatisfaction, the petitioner referred to the recent payment of peculiar allowance arrears. According to the petition, Chairman Nuhu Daniel approved the payment of seven months’ arrears for staff, but only six months were eventually paid on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The petitioner urged the appropriate authorities to independently verify the allegation.
Sources also alleged that the deepening controversy surrounding the Finance Department may be rooted in a wider political power struggle within the Kwali Area Council.
According to the sources, tensions escalated after Chronicles Reporters published an earlier exposé on alleged irregularities in the Council’s Finance Department, which reportedly widened an existing rift between Chairman Nuhu Daniel and his predecessor, Danladi Chiya.
The sources claimed that the relationship deteriorated over disagreements regarding Chiya’s alleged House of Representatives ambition and an alleged debt burden of over ₦42 billion said to have accumulated during his tenure as Chairman. They alleged that Chiya wanted the current administration to simultaneously support his political aspiration while also addressing the Council’s outstanding financial obligations.
However, the sources alleged that Chairman Daniel rejected the proposal, insisting that governance and the Council’s financial recovery should take precedence over political ambitions. According to the sources, the disagreement ultimately triggered a sweeping restructuring within the Finance Department, with several officials believed to be loyal to the former Chairman allegedly redeployed or replaced by individuals considered loyal to the current administration.
Despite the reported shake-up, the sources alleged that Miss Loko remained in office as a political concession aimed at preserving relations with the former Chairman. They claimed that this alleged political arrangement explains why the Chairman has continued to resist calls for her exit, even after she reportedly completed the statutory 35 years of service.
The workers further alleged that the selective application of the Public Service Rules has fuelled widespread resentment within the Council, arguing that while ordinary civil servants are compelled to retire immediately upon reaching the statutory limit, politically connected officials are allegedly allowed to remain in office.
According to the sources, the growing discontent has united workers across departments, with many vowing to proceed with Monday’s peaceful protest unless the retirement process is completed in accordance with the law.
The petition also claimed that the matter has attracted the attention of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), alleging that the union is prepared to shut down the office of the Director of Finance should the retirement handover fail to take place as required. According to the petitioner, the union maintains that the Public Service Rules must be applied equally to every public officer, regardless of rank or political influence.
The petitioner appealed to Chronicles Reporters to investigate the allegations in the interest of transparency and accountability while urging the relevant authorities to clarify the status of the Director of Finance and ensure strict compliance with the Public Service Rules.
The petition further urged Chairman Nuhu Daniel not to allow the controversy to overshadow what it described as the early achievements of his administration.
Chronicles Reporters notes that all allegations contained in the anonymous petition and those made by the sources remain unverified. Efforts to obtain official reactions from the Kwali Area Council, Chairman Nuhu Daniel, Miss Rabi Muhammad Loko, former Chairman Danladi Chiya and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) are ongoing. Their responses will be published as soon as they are received.