By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) – A Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kaduna State, northwest of the country, Tom Maiyashi, has said that the six months suspension of Governor Nasir El-rufai from the party still stands, despite the demolition of the party office.
The building, located at Sambo Road, was said to have been demolished in the early hours of Tuesday by
officials of the Kaduna State Urban and Property Development Authority, KASUPDA on alleged non-payment of ground rent for eight years.
Before the demolition, the building owned by Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Representing Kaduna northern District, served
as a parallel APC state Secretariat.
Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the demolition, Maiyashi, described the action of the governor as a political immaturity, saying that it is an indication that the governor could not withstand the political pressure within his party.
“This is madness, embarrassing and this has shown that the governor has failed the people of Kaduna State. Despite all this madness, his suspension stands.
“I am disappointed with what I am seeing today. This is my saddest day as a politician. Sinc
e my career as a Civil Servant and as a politician, I have never seen this kind of political witch hunting,” the chieftain lamented.
An eye witnessed who does not want his name on print alleged that the demolition was carried out under the supervision of armed security personnel and some suspected thugs.
While speaking to our reporter, he says: “The team that pulled down the building arrived at the place around 4:00a.m. on Tuesday.
“The bulldozer was accompanied by armed men who blocked both sides of the road leading to the building.”
Government Statement
However a statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan said, the demolition was in violation of the title of the land, as prescribed by the laws of the state.
“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.”
On way forward Aruwan said “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.”
Sen. Shehu Sani’s Reaction
But in a swift reaction, the Senator Representing Kaduna Central District, Shehu Sani, in his Facebook Wall wrote, “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.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/02/18/conflict/nigerias-ruling-progressive-congress-suspends-gov-el-rufai-kaduna-state/
