Connect with us

News

Businessman Threatens Legal Action Against Kano Government Over Property Demolition

Published

on

Businessman Threatens Legal Action Against Kano Government Over Property Demolition

A businessman in Kano state, Alhaji Ibrahim Mukhtar Mohammed, has threatened to sue the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, for demolishing his property.

The said property, situated at Alhamsad Tower, Gandu Layout in Kano, was demolished by KNUPDA immediately after completion.

But at a press briefing at the demolished site in Kano on Friday, Mohammed claimed to have followed due process in building the property, with N20 million.

According to him, he obtained approval from KNUPDA to build the property, which was meant to be an eatery, but it was “arbitrarily” demolished without notice.

“What actually happened as i stand before you with a heavy heart, this is once a beautiful place we constructed, but as i look back you can see what happened as a result of the demolition exercise that was carried out by KNUPDA of Kano State. We were not given any notice prior to this demolition.

“We just woke up one morning, that was the Monday morning and found these rubbles,” he lamented.

According to Mohammed, he decided to develop the property to provide job opportunities for young people and provide security at the area known for crime activities.

According to him, he went to KNUPDA to obtain all clearance and approvals, adding that the agency had also sent its representatives to supervise the project to ensure it is carried out based on its laws.

“My driving force for constructing this eatery is just to help our younger ones, our brothers, our children to get something, to get employment. I’m not here to make any money because of this thing.

Advert

“As you can see, as I can tell you from the stretch of almost 500 feet, I’m the owner of this property. So if there’s anybody that has a stake, I am the one that has a stake. This place that was constructed, it was once you cannot come after eight o’clock, you cannot pass this place.

“The place has become a dumping ground, people urinate, you need to do all sorts of things here. But by our coming, I said no, it has to be stopped. We applied for construction of temporary, which was on the process.

“But unfortunately, without any notice, we finished this building. The only thing that remains is to put furniture inside and to start business and they come and demolish this. Have you gotten approval for it? The government, unfortunately, this government, for the past six months or seven months, they will collect your money, but they will not give you approval.

“You can go and confirm from the KNUPDA, you see heaps of files. So what we know we did was they sent their representatives. They were even the ones telling us what to do.

“Cut here, demolish here before the final structure. This drawing was produced from the architectural department of KNUPDA. And prior before this demolition, when they told me that they are going to demolish this place, i called the MD and he said, okay, I should meet him on Monday, nine o’clock. Later he said, 11 o’clock. That was even after the demolition.

“That was when I know I’ve just been deceived because nothing has been done. And I went to him and I explained to him, this is the situation. He said I should come on Thursday.

“I went there on Thursday. Yesterday I came back from Abuja. I called him several times, no pick” he said.

The businessman said he had met his lawyers and would advise him on the next line of action.

When contacted for comment, the Managing Director of KNUPDA, ARC Ibrahim Yakubu Adamu claimed that the demolished building was encroached to the main road by about 8 meters.

According to the MD, the agency had never issued approval for Mohammed to erect the building.

He said after studying his files, it shows that though the land was Mohammed’s own, but the building is not on his property and as such it is illegal.

“We served him first and second notice but no response. We have been following his building right from the beginning.

“We have every evidences to demolish his project. At KNUPDA, we never demolish properties without following due process.

“Let me tell you that by January, we are stopping demolishing. We have designated courts to start sending people to jail based on section 16 of the KNUPDA act .

We are treating his case from the development control unit. He applied for approvals and I agree he paid, you can pay for application and the payment doesn’t guarantee you approval.

“So, we have every evidences that his structure was illegal that is why we demolished it,” he said

News

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Holds Exclusive Prerogative to Choose Deputy – Malam Inuwa Waya

Published

on

 

Malam Inuwa Waya, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, has reaffirmed that the constitutional prerogative to appoint a new Deputy Governor rests solely with His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Speaking to journalists in Kano, Malam Waya cautioned against undue interference from individuals on social media who have been attempting to dictate the Governor’s choice following the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.

“It is only Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who has the prerogative to choose his deputy. People should stop coming to social media to tell him who to appoint. The constitution does not mandate him to select from any particular zone; it is entirely his decision,” Malam Waya stated.

He further explained that while political balancing may encourage consideration of candidates from Kano North or South since the Governor hails from Kano Central, such arrangements remain political strategies rather than constitutional requirements.

Advert

Malam Waya also commended Governor Yusuf’s infrastructural strides, noting that within two years, the administration has revived water projects, advanced public-private partnerships in power, and accelerated development across education, agriculture, and investment.

“The Governor has revived the glory of Kano. With the infrastructure projects ongoing, it will be an easy sail for all of us as we prepare for 2027. He has put Kano first, and that is what matters,” he said.

On the issue of inclusivity, Malam Waya emphasized that all stakeholders, including former APC members, are being carried along in governance. He urged the people of Kano to unite behind the Governor’s vision.

“We, the old APC members, have no problem with Governor Yusuf. We are knit together in Kano, and our priority is Kano first, not any individual. The Governor knows who he will pick as his deputy, and we trust his judgment,” he concluded.

Malam Waya also extended prayers for the acceptance of Ramadan fasting and congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Kano for celebrating Sallah peacefully.

 

Continue Reading

News

ADC Reports Surge in Membership Following Kwankwaso’s Defection, Calls Him ‘Game Changer’

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially welcomed former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into its fold, touting his defection as a pivotal move that strengthens a growing coalition for political realignment in Nigeria.

In a statement released for immediate effect, the party described Kwankwaso as a “game-changer,” announcing that he has directed his network of supporters nationwide to join the ADC. According to the party, this call has already triggered a significant uptick in registrations on its online platform over the past 24 hours.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, framed the defection as part of a broader recognition among Nigerians of the need for a credible political alternative. The statement emphasized Kwankwaso’s experience in governance, grassroots influence, and capacity to unify as assets to the party’s ambition to “rebuild Nigeria.”

Advert

Notably, the ADC highlighted the presence of several high-profile leaders at the defection event, including the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark; National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and leading presidential aspirants such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Their attendance, the party stated, reflects a united front and growing momentum.

The party characterized the surge in online registrations as evidence that Nigerians are aligning with what it called a “different path forward.” In its appeal to Kwankwaso’s supporters and the broader public, the ADC positioned itself as a vehicle for restoring dignity, opportunity, and public trust in governance.

“Change does not happen by chance,” the statement concluded. “It happens when people come together with purpose.”

The development marks a significant realignment in Nigeria’s opposition political landscape, with the ADC seeking to position itself as a converging point for influential politicians and their followings ahead of future elections.

Continue Reading

News

Foreign Affairs Minister Resigns to Pursue Bauchi Governorship Election

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from his position in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State in the 2027 election.

Tuggar submitted his resignation on Monday, in compliance with a presidential directive requiring all political appointees with electoral ambitions to vacate their posts by the March 31, 2026, deadline.

The directive, issued through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It affects ministers, advisers, and heads of federal agencies intending to contest in the 2027 general elections.

Advert

Reports have it that his resignation positions him to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Bauchi State gubernatorial race.

Tuggar’s entry is expected to significantly reshape the state’s political landscape, intensifying an already competitive contest for the APC nomination. His background as a career diplomat and serving minister is seen by political observers as a potential advantage, offering national visibility and extensive political networks.

With less than 24 hours remaining before the deadline, additional resignations from the Federal Executive Council are anticipated as other appointees move to formalize their electoral ambitions.

Continue Reading

Trending