A group, Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative (CGGCI), has petitioned the governments of the United States of America, China, and European Union, over the recent demolition exercise embarked upon by Governor Abba Yusuf-led government in Kano State of Nigeria.
The Coalition, in a petition signed by its national coordinator, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, demanded a visa ban on the governor and his family members over what it called his “anti-democratic activities and human rights violation” orchestrated barely six days after assumption of office as governor.
The petition dated July 7, 2023, titled “Violation of Human Rights and Anti-democratic Actions of Mr. Abba Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, An Urgent Call for Visa Ban”, has been received and acknowledged by the offices of the foreign countries in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the acknowledged copies made available to journalists on Saturday, the petition said during the demolition exercise, lives were lost in the state, which was a serious concern to the group as a civil society organisation.
The petition reads: “On behalf of the aforementioned organization, we commend your steadfastness in maintaining world peace and sustainable democracy in Africa, Nigeria in particular. Your interventions has reverses harsh policies of government, reduced corruption and improved Military actions among others.
“We write to formally bring to your table, anti-democratic activities and human rights violation orchestrated by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf who was inaugurated on the 29th May, 2023.
“Exactly six day of his assumption in office, Abba Yusuf ordered massive demolition of properties belonging to Kano State indigenes and investors who have committed their hard-earned resources in purchasing landed property in Kano metropolis.
Our investigation revealed that, the previous administration had allocated lands to individuals and corporate allottees who legally applied for land in Kano State. Some of whom the lands were allocated to had sold to other interested parties and had transferred ownership with evidence of financial payment to the State Government treasury.
“In one of the plots, a ninety (90) room Hotel was built at the cost of over ten (10) Billion Naira, an investment that is to create job opportunity for the unemployed Youths in Kano State, serves as a resort, and a conversion of a criminal hideout into a befitting business environment. It is sad that Governor Abba Yusuf within six (6) days in office demolished it without following due process.
Furthermore, Governor Abba Yusuf also demolished without due process, a ninety-shop plaza already completed in Kano metropolis.
“He went further and demolished a beautiful roundabout designed and built by a female architect living abroad, an indigen of Kano State to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kano State which cost about one hundred and sixty million naira (N160,000,000.00).
“Governor Abba Yusuf and his State officials also demolished properties of a China based Nigerian who acquired land and developed same in Kano State using his life savings. He is an indigene of Kano State.
“In addition, houses of people perceived to would have been allocated land by the former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration were demolished without any provocation.
Sir, as at today, Governor Abba Yusuf has demolished property worth over two hundred and six billion naira (N206, 000,000,000.00) with almost every home crying in Kano metropolis.
“Further inquest revealed that, the Governor is demolishing these properties because the plots were allocated by the previous administration of Abdullahi Ganduje to slight the former Governor and satisfy the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP political desire of destroying any development linked to the former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration.
“We insist that, the former Governor is not the owner of these properties and the people should not be made to face pain and lost because of political differences between the current and former Governor. If the former Governor has any wrong doing, the State should invite him to answer question instead of inflicting unwarranted pain on the people.
“During this demolition exercise, lives were lost which is a serious concern to us as a civil society organization. We had given the Governor of Kano State seventy-two (72) hour ultimatum to stop further demolition and call a roundtable in view to compensate the affected persons whose house were demolished.
“It is clear that the Governor has refused to listen to the voice of reasoning as he went further and marked more houses for continuous demolition. It is devastating to watch your property being destroyed before your very eyes. The Governor should be call to order.
“In view of the above, we request a visa ban on the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, all Kano State officials and the National Leadership of the NNPP. This will go a long way in reshaping the State Government anti-people’s policies which are politically motivated and redirect the state government’s focus to even development.
“At the moment, the visa ban is the only measure that could call the Governor to order and indeed prevail on him to practice democracy in a democratic manner.”
