Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reacted to allegations of lands allocated to individuals around Kofar Famfo in Kano and some parts of the state’s city walls.
Daily News 24 reports that Senator Kwankwaso made the clarifications while answering questions in an exclusive interview by Radio France International’s (RFI) Hausa Service.
Recall that the new government of the NNPP, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, embarked on demolition of properties situated around schools and mosques, among others, in a move to restore the state’s master plan.
Demolitions, developmental to Kano state – Kwankwaso
Senator Kwankwaso described the demolition as developmental for Kano State.
“What we have on our agenda is development, not destruction, as many call it. And these demolitions did not start recently; we have said it in our campaigns since 2019. We have said that any governor who erects illegal structures in schools or around mosques will be reversed.
“If you check, you will see that the demolitions are in five places. No law stipulates that you demolish a university and build shops.” He said.
On speculations that he is the controller of the new governor of the state, he said:
“People are just wasting their time; what the poor want is to see things on the ground. Whether you are the one doing it or someone else.
“We are a team. All these issues that are raised are because of jealousy and hatred by the opposition. Many of whom have made the mistake of leaving us. Ganduje has left us; has he succeeded?” He questioned.
While answering questions on whether the demolition will focus only on the lands allocated by the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso said:
“I have served for eight years. I have never allocated land to anybody of such a nature in any secondary or primary school.
“We only allocated lands for the establishment of cities like Kwankwasiyya, Bandirawo, and Ibrahim Kunya. Layouts were found, and cities were developed.
“We paid compensations during my tenure, and a lot of people were excited as we doubled the amount times ten.” He stated.
I have never allocated any land to anyone around Kofar Famfo – Kwankwaso
Kwankwaso, while reacting to the allegation that some of the lands around Kofar Famfo were allocated by him, said:
“I have never allocated any land to anyone in those areas. Whose response will you accept? Mine or of those…
“The records are there. I have never given anything to anyone. None are mine.
“I have never given land to anyone around the city wall, school, or hospital.” He said.
Daily News 24 had reported that the state government marked multi-million naira plazas and filling stations for demolition in continuation of its demolition exercise in Kano State.
The properties were located along the popular BUK road.
While a few of the structures marked for demolition by the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) are under construction, majority of them have been completed.
One of the completed plazas belongs to the state government under Kano State Investment and Properties Limited (KISP), while others belong to individuals and business owners in the state.
Among the structures that exist on Badala are filling stations, car dealers’ spots and one of the biggest filling stations in the state (SALBAS OIL).
Court stops Kano government from further demolition
Justice SA Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano stopped Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from further demolishing of structures.
Saminu Muhammad, a Kano citizen, instituted the motion ex-parte through his lawyer, Daily Post reports.
The court, following the motion, restrained the state government and its agents from further demolition of some buildings along BUK Road.
Amobeda specifically ordered the government to halt plans for demolishing the applicant’s property, located on No. 41 and 43 Salanta, along BUK Road, Kano.
The Kano State’s Attorney-General, Solicitor General, Governor, the state government, and the state Bureau for Land Management are respondents joined in the suit.
The Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are others included in the suit.
The court ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned the suit to July 10, 2023, after listening to the motion moved by the applicant’s counsel, Prof. Nasiru Aliyu, SAN.
According to the order, “That Order of this Court is hereby made in the interim, restraining the Respondents by themselves, agents, servant or proxies whatsoever called from encroaching, trespassing, entering, invading, demolishing or revoking the Applicant’s titles or doing any other act in respect of the Applicant’s property, No. 41 and 43 situate at Salanta, along BUK road, Kano, covered by Certificate of Occupancy, No. KNMLO8228 and Certificate of Occupancy No. KNMLO8229, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
“That the Court is hereby made granting leave to the bailiff of the Court to serve the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Respondents with all processes and all subsequent processes in the suit through any staff or officer in the office of the 1st and 2nd Respondents and deeming the service valid, personal and proper.
“That the Court is made granting leave to the bailiff of the Court to serve the 7th and 8th Respondents with all processes and all subsequent processes in the suit through the office of the 9th Respondent and deeming the service as valid, personal, and proper.”
It added that the court bailiff should serve the 10th and 11th respondents with all processes and all subsequent processes in the suit through the office of the 12th Respondent and deeming the service as valid, personal, and proper.
I have no regrets for demolishing structures in Kano – Governor Yusuf
Governor Yusuf says he has no regrets ordering the demolition of some structures across the state.
Yusuf disclosed this while hosting the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, at the government house during the celebrations of the Eid-El-Kabir.
“Your highness it is important for the Emirate Council to note that we embarked on the demolition exercise to bring back public properties that were illegally acquired and we will ensure that all such properties are restored back for the interest of the good people of Kano.”
“No regrets over the demolition of the structures that was sold out by the past administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.” He stated.
