Hundreds of victims affected by the demolition spree initiated by the Kano State government expressed their outrage through a large-scale protest on Monday morning. The gathering took place in front of the demolished Daula Hotel, an upscale establishment along Hadejia Road in the city. The protesters, armed with placards bearing diverse inscriptions, vehemently condemned the government’s destructive policies.
The messages displayed on the placards included powerful statements such as “Do the right thing, Abba Kabir Yusuf,” “Don’t drive away investors from Kano,” and “Billions of Naira property demolished because of envy,” among others. The demonstrators aimed to draw attention to the detrimental impact of the demolitions and call for a change in the government’s approach.
Speaking to the press during the protest, Zahraddee Baba, the Director of Research and Development Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative, represented the organizers. He expressed their deep concern over the destruction of properties valued at a staggering N226 billion within just three weeks of the new government’s term. The group demanded that the government provide compensation to the victims whose properties were demolished.
Baba emphasized, “As the people of Kano State, we wholeheartedly voted for Governor Abba Yusuf, believing he would bring development to our state. We saw him as a messiah who would continue the people-oriented programs initiated by his predecessor to uplift the people of Kano State. However, it is disheartening that within six days of assuming office, this perceived messiah has become a source of sorrow for many residents and indigenes of Kano State.”
The protest leader further criticized the governor’s actions, stating, “Governor Yusuf, within three weeks of his tenure, ordered the demolition of properties worth over N226 billion. This decision was made without adhering to the time frame stipulated by law for providing notice of such demolitions. It seems that Governor Yusuf is using hard-earned investments to settle political scores with the previous administration, and this is an unfortunate development.”
Baba reminded the government that being elected as a governor meant representing all the people, not just a particular political party. He emphasized the significance of the Land Use Act, which states that individuals do not own land as all lands belong to the government. He urged Governor Yusuf to halt further demolitions and engage in dialogue with the affected individuals to compensate them for the unlawful destruction of their properties.
“We are here today because the government has identified more buildings for demolition, despite partially complying with the ultimatum issued by our organization, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives, to cease further demolitions of the properties of Kano’s citizens,” the protest leader concluded, appealing for the government’s attention and action on the matter.
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