Hundreds of indigenes of Kano, including women in the puddle staged a peaceful protest to condemn the ongoing demolition exercise embarked upon by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf
The protesters who staged the protest in front of demolished structure erected at the old Duala Hotel, carried different placards to express their displeasure against Governor Yusuf’s action
Some of the placards carried by the protesters read ‘Your action Governor Yusuf is sending investors away, stop this bad action, ‘Your demolition action is political, ‘the demolition is vendetta’ and ‘we did not vote for you to demolish structures’.
Others read: ‘Government is a continuity’, ‘Kwankwaso also allocated land to people’.
This was just as the protesters have gathered in front of the demolished Duala hotel moving on to the state police headquarters in Bompai, to deliver their protest letter to the State Commissioner of Police Mr Gumel, but the Police dispersed them from taking further action
However, the Director of research and government coalition for good governance and change initiative Comrade Zahradeen Sani Baba, while reading their letter meant for the State Commissioner of Police, said “We are here to inform your good office about the later development happening in the state that were disturbing us.
“It is our profound gratitude to address you today in protest against the illegal demolition of properties legally acquired by indigenes and investors by the Kano State Government without reasonable justification for such exercise.
“We want to thank the Kano State Commissioner of Police, who has displayed professionalism in handling security issues in the State. CP Gumel is a distinguished officer whose stance has restored dignity to the Force. Right from the time of elections, he separated the Police from politics and maintain that stance to date.
“Mr Commissioner Sir, we are here to present our grievances to you over the demolition of properties legally acquired by indigenes and investors by the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf. We believe that you will convey our message to the governor believing that, the Almighty God will touch his heart to listen to the cry of the people.
“The people of Kano State unanimously voted for Governor Abba Yusuf with a view to bring development to the State. It was believed that the governor is the messiah of the time who shall continue with people’s oriented programs of his predecessor to salvage the people of Kano State.
“It is unfortunate that within six days in office, the perceived messiah became a source of sorrow to many residents and indigenes of Kano State, who acquired land from the previous administration of Abdullahi Ganduje when the Governor ordered the demolition of properties worth over two hundred and twenty-six billion naira within three weeks in office.
“Let it be on record that six days in office is insignificant for a people’s oriented government to order demolition of properties because the time allowed by law for such notice was not followed. It is our belief that Governor Yusuf is using people’s hard-earned investment to settle political scores with the previous administration which is a bad development. We expect to know that once you emerge a governor you become a governor for all and not that of NNPP alone.
“The Land Use Act specified that individual does not own land as all lands belong to the Government. It is true that government is also a continuous process where successors inherit assets and liabilities.
“We had earlier last week urged Governor Abba Yusuf to stop further demolition and call all the affected persons to a round table in view to compensate them over the illegal demolition of their properties.
“Today, we are here because, the government has marked more buildings for further demolition, even though it has partially complied with the ultimatum handed over to him by this organisation, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives to stop further demolition of properties of Kano people.
“The Governor has so much to do if he must impact the people, especially the young ones who voted him into power against all odds.
“We expect Governor Abba Yusuf to initiate projects which will uplift the image of the state and not an unnecessary political vendetta.
“Kano State is the most populated state in Nigeria with 44 local government areas. Any crisis in Kano (God forbid) will have a negative effect on the country. So, we are here in the interest of peace which the Nigerian Police is interested in, and in the interest of Nigeria as a country. Some residents were seen resisting and confronting state officials who came to demolish their houses, this could go out of hand if not quickly checked.
“Mr Governor Sir, your predecessor is still in Nigeria, if you have anything against his style of governance during his tenure, please call him to answer questions instead of punishing innocent Nigerians and destroying their investments. Ganduje has nothing to lose because those properties do not belong to him. The people voted for you to govern them not to destroy their properties.
“We are optimistic that, those who lost their lives to this demolition are people who voted for Governor Abba Yusuf during the last elections. Is this the best way to reward them for voting for Abba Yusuf?
“We call on the Governor to also compensate the families of those who lost their lives to this reckless demolition even though their loss is irreparable. Mr. Governor, these are enough reasons for you to revert to governance instead of political vendetta.
“We shall continue to lend our voice to issues of national importance.”
As of the time of filling this report, all efforts made to get the comments on why the protesters were dispersed by the security operatives proved abortive.
However, a source within the Police command, who preferred anonymity said the protesters do not have a police permit to organise the rally, and to avoid being hijacked by miscreants they had to be dispersed.
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