Victims of building demolition have taken to the streets in their hundreds to condemn what they describe as the destructive acts of the current Kano state government led by Governor Abba Yusuf.
The protesters gathered Monday morning at the frontage of the demolished multi-million-naira Daula Hotel along Hadejia Road in the metropolis, carrying placards with various inscriptions condemning the government policy.
Some of the placards read, “Do the right thing, Abba Kabir Yusuf”, “Don’t drive away investors from Kano,” and “Billions of Naira in property demolished because of envy,” among various others.
Addressing newsmen at the protest, the organizers, headed by the Director, Research and Development Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative, Zahraddeen Sani Baba, said that it is unfortunate that property worth N226 billion has been destroyed within three weeks in office by the new government.
The group also called on the government to compensate the victims whose properties were demolished.
We, the people of Kano State, unanimously voted for Governor Abba Yusuf with a view to bringing development to the State.
It was believed that the Governor was the messiah of the time and would continue with the people-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 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-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 investments to settle political scores with the previous administration, which is a bad development.
“We expect to know that once you emerge as governor, you become a governor for all and not just the NNPP alone.
“The Land Use Act specified that individuals do 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 of compensating 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 organization, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives, to stop further demolition of properties of Kano people,” the protest leader appeals.
