TheCable

A group known as the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative (CGGCI) has asked the US, European Union (EU), and China to impose a visa ban on Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, over demolition of properties in the state.

Since assuming office in May, Yusuf has ordered the demolition of several buildings in the state which he said were allegedly constructed and acquired “illegally”.

In separate letters dated July 7 and addressed to the US, EU, and China, Okpokwu Ogenyi, CGGCI’s national convener, described the demolitions as “anti-democratic activities and violation of human rights”.

Ogenyi said the owners of the properties being demolished by the Yusuf administration “legally” applied for their lands.

“On behalf of the aforementioned organisation, we commend your steadfastness in maintaining world peace and sustainable democracy in Africa, Nigeria in particular,” one of the letters reads.

“Your interventions have reversed harsh policies of the government, reduced corruption and improved military actions among others.

“We write to formally bring to your table, anti-democratic activities and human rights violations orchestrated by the executive governor of Kano state, Abba Yusuf, who was inaugurated on the 29th May, 2023.

“Exactly six days after his assumption in office, Abba Yusuf ordered massive demolition of properties belonging to Kano state indigenes and investors who have committed their hard-earned resources to purchase landed property in the Kano metropolis.

“Our investigation revealed that the previous administration had allocated lands to individuals and corporate allottees who legally applied for land in Kano state. Some of whom the lands were allocated to had sold to other interested parties and had transferred ownership with evidence of financial payment to the state government treasury.

“In one of the plots, a 90-room hotel was built at the cost of over N10 billion, an investment that is to create job opportunities for the unemployed youths in Kano state, serves as a resort, and conversion of a criminal hideout into a befitting business environment.

“It is sad that Governor Abba Yusuf within six days in office demolished it without following due process. Furthermore, Governor Abba Yusuf also demolished without due process, a 90-shop plaza already completed in the Kano metropolis.

“He went further and demolished a beautiful roundabout designed and built by a female architect living abroad, an indigene of Kano state to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kano state which cost N160 million.”

The convener said the governor has refused to heed their call to stop the demolitions.

Given the above, we request a visa ban on the executive governor of Kano state, Abba Yusuf, all Kano state officials and the national leadership of the NNPP,” Ogenyi said.

“This will go a long way in reshaping the state government’s anti-people policies which are politically motivated and redirect the state government’s focus to even development.

“At the moment, the visa ban is the only measure that could call the governor to order and indeed prevail on him to practice democracy democratically.”