- A coalition of civil society groups in Kano has urged the state government to halt further demolitions of citizens’ properties and compensate victims
- The groups also called for the formation of an urgent committee to verify the landowners affected by the demolition and return the properties to them
- The state government has responded by saying that the lands have been returned to the owners and that an inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the demolitions
A coalition of civil society groups for good governance and change initiatives has urged Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, to halt further demolitions of citizens’ properties in the state and compensate victims.
The coalition also stated that the state government should form an urgent committee to verify the landowners affected by the demolition and return the properties to them.
The groups and victims of demolition, as well as other stakeholders, described the demolition exercise undertaken by this administration as a move to ‘underscore’ the essence of good governance in the state in a communique issued following a One Day Conference.
“The recent demolition of properties in the Kano metropolis has caused pain and untold hardship to many families,” said the communique, which the group’s National Coordinator signed, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi Shagari.
That is why we strongly condemn the exercise and call on the government; First it should stop further demolition of properties of innocent citizens with immediate effect. It should also compile a comprehensive list of victims of the demolition and commence the process of compensation. They should set up a committee to verify genuine landowners with the view to return the same property to them, the communique said.
They went on to say that the state anti-corruption commission had become completely politicised, “particularly with the appointment of a partisan and card-carrying member of the NNPP as Chairman, and thus Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, should either resign honourably or be sacked immediately.”
The group also suggested that the governor investigate NNPP leader Engnr. Rabiu Musa Kwnakwaso over a white paper issued to him in 2006.
That the state government in the spirit of fairness should re- visit the recommendations of the 2006 white paper report that exposes the land scandal of the than former governor of the state Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso instead of chasing shadow by embarking on a vendetta mission and face governance.
However, reacting to the communique, the state commissioner of information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, said the state government had done exactly as they said by returning the lands to the owners, who are members of the general public.
Speaking to Daily Trust, the commissioner said;
The lands were all returned to the owners. They belong to the public. Those that belong to schools were returned to the schools. Those that belonged to markets, mosques or grave yards were all returned to them.
He stated that the state had formed an inquiry committee into the demolition and that anyone with complaints should report them to the committee, adding that they would be addressed appropriately.
Concerning the chairmanship of the anti-corruption agency, Dantiye stated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf did not appoint Muhuyi, but that “the court ordered that he be reinstated.” Unlike the previous administration, we are simply following a court order. Ganduje appointed him, not our administration.”
He also stated that the white paper issue is now history, as the former governor has been cleared, and that they are now focusing on issues that will benefit people rather than issues that have been quashed.
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