Senator Bola Tinubu’s work as reconciler-in-chief in the troubled All Progressives Congress (APC) took a turn for the worse in Kaduna State, Tuesday, where demolition was introduced into the mix, following the pulling down of a factional secretariat of the party by government agents.
The APC faction, which last week suspended Governor Nasir el Rufai, has two of Kaduna’s Senators, Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkunyi, in its fold. Both men were suspended a while ago by the faction loyal to the Governor.
Hunkunyi is gunning for el Rufai’s seat in the 2019 election, while Sani has also been at daggers-drawn with the Governor.
On the floor of the Senate Tuesday, Sani berated the state government for its action adding that his own office in the State had been attacked several times by State government-sponsored thugs.
On Facebook, he wrote: The demolishing of the APC secretariat at Sambo Road stands unreservedly condemned.The Kaduna State Governor’s action is insane,despicable,cruel and desperate.
“Bulldozers can only demolish structures and not the spirit.We remain unshaken in our faith,our conviction , our position and our cause to uphold the constitutional rights and liberties of our people.
“The use of environmental laws to destroy the homes of perceived political opponents or to silence dissent is legendary in the tyrannical history of fascists and sadists.
“Power is ephemeral. Bulldozers, Thugs and Guns will not change in our position.”
To add colour to the political drama, an agency of the Kaduna State government rolled out a statement that it demolished the structure on 11B, Sambo Close, because ground rents on the property had not been paid for eight years; and thugs were flooding the building and causing road blockages.
The statement by the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) boss, Mr Ibrahim Husseini reads: “The Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KAPSUDA) is currently undertaking operations across Kaduna metropolis in compliance with its mandate. In partnership with sister agencies, KASUPDA is clearing illegal structures, tackling street hawking and restoring order across Kaduna.
“This morning a building on 11B Sambo Close was removed for flagrant violations of land use and non-payment of ground rent since 2010. This illegal violation of use had begun to distress neighbours who were being forced to endure an influx of thugs and blockage of the road.
“The Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) issued a revocation notice of statutory right of occupancy No. KD. 16712, that covers 11b Sambo Close in the Ungwan Rimi area. The appropriate notice of revocation was delivered at 28 Inuwa Wada Road, the registered address of the company that held the title to the property. The notice was also delivered to the building in question, and sent by post to the registered address of the previous title holder.
“The land has now been allocated to KASUPDA for the purpose of developing and maintaining a public park that will provide a green area and a serene place for recreation in that residential neighbourhood.
“KADGIS wishes to remind all title owners to be fastidious in complying with the terms of their allocation. The purpose of allocation of land cannot be wilfully altered; neither can title holders lawfully neglect to pay their ground rents.
“Since 2016, the government has been taking action on various land related matters, including revoking all undeveloped land titles in the state and directed that all abandoned buildings be developed within three months of the notice.
“The Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), as the government agency charged with ultimate responsibility on land matters in Kaduna State, calls for the utmost cooperation by the public with all our agencies.”