Anti-Demolition Protest Rocks Kano as Govt Earmarks More Places

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Hundreds of youths, including victims of demolition in Kano, have staged a peaceful demonstration against the ongoing demolition of structures by the Kano State Government (KNSG).

The victims and the protesting youths converged at the early hours of yesterday at the demolished Daula Hotel, along Murtala Muhammad Way, with placards of different inscriptions that condemned the act.

Some of the inscriptions read: “Abba Gida-Gida is envy of investors,” “don’t bring insecurity to our state,” “our people are dying in the process of demolishion,” “responsible governor cannot destroy what his predecessors built with taxpayers money” among others.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the protest, the Director, Research and Development Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative, 

Zahraddeen Sani Baba said that it is unfortunate that properties worth N226 billion has been destroyed within three weeks of Abba’s regime.

 “We the people of Kano State unanimously voted for Governor Abba Yusuf in 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.

“It is disheartening that the governor ordered demolition of properties worth over N226 billion 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.”

Baba, alleged that the governor is only on vendetta mission. “We believe that Governor Yusuf is using people’s hard earned investment to settle political scores with the previous administration, which is a bad development.

“The Land Use Act specified that an 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 liability.

“We urged Governor Abba Yusuf last week 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 protest leader appeals.

However, the Kano State Government had earmarked more places for demolition, especially along the BUK Road, which has also attracted legal actions from various quarters.

It could be recalled that series of alleged illegal structures have been demolished across the state since the inception of the Abba Yusuf’s led administration, among which are the Daula Hotel, shops at Eid-el-Kabir ground at Kofar Mata in the metropolis.