Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, explained on Friday why he ordered the mass demolition of structures across the state, claiming that the previous administration illegally transferred the assets to their current owners.
During the visit of Kano’s Emir, Alh Aminu Bayero, to the government house on Friday, the governor argued that the Ganduje government had illegally acquired the assets, which were subsequently distributed to cronies he referred to as “sacred cows.”
Governor Yusuf recent remarks continued his public feud with his predecessor, Umar Ganduje.
“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,” he said in defence of his actions.
The governor has faced harsh criticism since launching his demolition campaign. The Coalition of Good Governance and Change Initiative has notably called the continued demolition of buildings across the state a “political vendetta.”
“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,” the group said in a statement last Wednesday.
The group estimates that the properties demolished by the Yusuf administration are worth more than N226 billion.
Despite massive outrage, Governor Yusuf insists that his administration will continue to demolish “illegal” structures built on land originally intended for social infrastructure.
He went on to declare that it was in the best interests of the Kano people to restore all of the lands.
“I am announcing, today, that all these public places and assets that were immorally plundered and sold by the Ganduje administration should be taken over by law enforcement agencies, led by the police, the DSS, Civil Defence, and Hisbah pending the final decision of government,” he said.
