Numerous victims of the government of Kano State’s demolition campaign have protested in the streets against what they call harmful actions.
In the city’s Hadejia Road, the protestors gathered on Monday morning in front of the multi-million dollar Naira Daula Hotel. They were carrying placards with various statements denouncing the government’s stance.
Do the right thing, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and don’t scare away investors from Kano, property worth billions of Naira destroyed out of envy, and other statements were written on some of the banners.
It is sad that property worth N226 billion has been destroyed within three weeks of the protest, stated the rally’s organizers, led by Zahraddee Baba, Director of the Research and Development Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative.
The organization also demanded that the government pay victims whose homes were demolished damages.
“We, the citizens of Kano State, unanimously elected Governor Abba Yusuf to lead the state’s growth.
The governor was viewed as the messiah of the era, continuing the people-centered initiatives of his predecessor to help the citizens of Kano State.
“It is unfortunate that the perceived messiah became a source of sorrow to many Kano State residents and natives within six days of taking office when he ordered the demolition of properties worth more than N226 billion within three weeks of taking office.
“Let it be noted that six days in office is small for a people-oriented government to order the demolition of homes since the legal window for giving such notice was not complied with.
We think it’s a horrible development that Governor Yusuf is utilizing the money that hard-working people have invested to settle political grudges with the previous administration.
“We expect to know that once you are elected governor, you represent all people and not just the NNPP,” the speaker said.
The Land Use Act made it clear that no one may claim to own land because it is all public property. It is true that government functions continuously, with successors taking on new responsibilities and obligations.
“We had urged Governor Abba Yusuf earlier in the week to halt all demolition work and invite all those impacted to a roundtable in order to make amends for the illegal destruction of their property”.
The protest leader says, “Today, we are here because the government has designated more buildings for further demolition, even though it has only partially complied with the ultimatum handed to him by this organization, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives to stop further demolition of Kano people’s property.
