Former Lawmaker Alleges Forceful Takeover Of Property By Bauchi Govt

A former Senator from Bauchi South, Senator Salisu Ibrahim Matori (Dan Masanin Bauchi), has alleged that the state government forcibly took over his land and structures adjacent to the Glo Office on Bank Road, Bauchi.

A letter of Notice of Compulsory Acquisition dated 6th November, 2025, signed by the Bauchi Commissioner of the Ministry of Land and Survey, addressed to Senator Matori, stated that the acquisition, for public purpose, was for the establishment of the proposed Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

While the state government, in the letter, stated that the assessment for compensation would commence on the specified date, the former APC Fourth Republic Senator noted that the precedent of pittance compensation had already been established by properties acquired from him in the past by the PDP-led government.

Sen. Matori said he did not rule out a political witch hunt in the exercise and said,” For someone who has served Bauchi with honour and integrity for over two decades, is political difference now a crime in Bauchi State?”.

He therefore called on the Bauchi State government to retrace its steps because difference in political beliefs, according to him, should not be taken as arrogance and aggression.

However, Danlami Ahmed Kawule, Bauchi Commissioner of Housing and Environment, in his reaction, stated that there was nothing political about the acquisition, as it was purely for the public interest. He stated that the Senator had received duly paid compensation, including an additional N100 million.