Following the controversies generated by the demolition of what it called “illegal structures” in the early hours of Saturday, Kano State Government has issued its first public comment on the demolition exercise.
In a press release Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa who is the chief press secretary to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, he explained that the demolition was necessary in order to “ensure strict adherence on the urban planning, beautification and safety of people.”
Following his reelection in the highly contentious March 2023 election, Governor Yusuf courted controversy when he cautioned the general public against any last-minute purchase of government property from the outgoing Ganduje administration, warning that any such action is at the purchaser’s risk.
“These places are meant for public utilization, it is therefore, disheartening to witness the incessant destruction and conversion of public places that are used to render social services by unpatriotic citizens. We shall bring an end to land grabbing and indiscriminate erection of illegal structures in the state” – stated the press release.
The demolition exercise earned the new governor the Hausa sobriquet “Mai Rusau” which loosely translates as “The Demolitioner”, a title that was first attributed to former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai for his well-publicized demolition exercise as Kaduna governor.
As Governor Yusuf promised to restore illegally acquired government property. It is not yet clear which building is next in his ongoing demolition exercise.
