From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Following recent advisory, banning people from constructing on public lands issued by Kano state Governor-elect, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, concerned Kano land owners, on Saturday, vowed to drag the In-coming New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) government to court, should it have any plans to revoke lands and landed properties legally acquired by them.
Recalll that the state Governor-elect, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, issued an advisory, directing individuals and organizations to stop construction on public lands.
The advisory triggered fear and tention among some land owners in the state who perceive that the Abba Kabir Yusuf In-coming administration may be nursing plans to revoke Certificate of Occupancy of lands acquired under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration.
The state government, through a Statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, had replied the Governor-elect, insisting that he has no constitutional powers to make pronouncements on issues concerning governance in the state until he is sworn-in as Governor.
The statement reminded the Governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is still in-charge as the Executive Governor of Kano state.
However, those who acquired their land legally in Kano state have maintained that they will institute legal actions against Abba Kabir Yusuf administration, should there be any attempt to seize their lands by the In-coming government.
On Saturday, Mr. Bello Isiya Ibrahim and 35 other landowners from various locations in Kano state told journalists that, “we will not tolerate the threat by the incoming NNPP government.”
Mr. Bello, leader of the concerned landowners, insisted that they acquired their lands legally and will go to any lenght to protect their property.
Bello further stated that they acquired their lands through the dictates of existing laws, adding that, “Governor Ganduje did not violate the land allocation process in the areas allocated.”
He recalled that, “there was a building construction at Qadiriyya prayer ground which was done illegally but the government demolished it,” emphasising that they will do whatever they can to protect the land they acquired legally.
The land owners insisted that they would be left with no choice than to sue the In-coming NNPP government if their lands are revoked.
Mr. Bello said their fears emanated from a Press Statement released on 30th March, 2023, by Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor-elect, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
According to the statement: “You are advised to discontinue any construction work on public land within and around the following: All schools in the State, all religious and cultural sites in the State, all hospitals in the State, all graveyards in the State, and along the city walls of Kano”
“You are also advised to discontinue the demolition of, and the construction on, all existing public buildings belonging to the government and people of Kano State”
“This Advisory is issued in the public interest, effective from today Thursday 30th March 2023 till further notice. Any contravener does so at his/her own risk, please.”
Kano state Commissioner for Information, Malam Garba, while replying the Governor-elect’s land construction advisory recalled that: “based on available records, the previous administration has made land allocation in some of the public places the governor-elect categorically mentioned which include the city wall, with an allocation of land from Kofar Nassarawa to Kofar Mata; shops at the Kofar Mata Eid Prayer Ground facing the Orion Cinema and from Kofar Mata to ‘Yan Yashi opposite the Eid Ground and from Kofar Kabuga to Kofar Famfo facing the old Campus of Bayero University.”
Kano state Government further advised the Governor-elect to stop making such pronouncements, insisting that Ganduje still remains the Governor.
“The action of the governor-elect amounts to jumping the gun by issuing directive on a matter affecting government laid down policy while the incumbent is yet to run his full term.
“As far as the division of power is concerned as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he remains the governor with executive powers until May 29, ” Malam Garba stated.
He insisted that the Governor-elect did not have the legal or constitutional powers to determine the direction of the state until he is sworn in.
“Until he subscribes to the oath of office as governor on May 29, he remains what he is-a governor-elect and does not have the powers of the governor,” he added.
