Kaduna govt justifies demolition of building occupied by party's faction

dimeji akinloye

February 20, 2018 8:48 PM

The state govt said the building was demolished for "non-payment of ground rent since 2010" but a new APC faction occupying the property said its a lie.

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It said the demolition was not politically motivated, noting that it was part of an exercise to rid the state of illegal structures.

The building was brought to the ground on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, days after the faction of the party emerged and announced the suspension of Governor Nasir El-Rufai from the party.

The Director-General of the Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Ibrahim Husseini, said the building was demolished for "non-payment of ground rent since 2010".

"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," Husseini said this in a statement.

He explained that due process was followed and that the state government only revoked the land on which the building was cited after the owners failed to pay land charges and comply with government directives.

Husseini added, "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) issued a revocation notice of the 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."

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After revoking the land, Husseini said, the state government allocated it to the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency "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."

The government warned all title owners to comply with the terms of the allocation or risk suffering a similar fate.

Act of terror

The APC faction has described the government's actions as an "act of terror".

Last week Thursday, the faction opened the parallel office after the APC in the state suspended the Senator representing Kaduna North district, Suleiman Hunkuyi, and expelled of 28 other members for anti-party activities.

Speaking to Channels TV, a Chieftain of the APC loyal to the new faction, Mikaiah Tokwak, said the action has confirmed their views that their constitutionally guaranteed rights to free association is under attack.

The Senate has also berated the state government for demolishing the building which reportedly belongs to Senator Hunkuyi.

dimeji akinloye