The former governor of Kano State, Dr Umar Ganduje, expressed his anger and frustration regarding the ongoing demolitions carried out by the current governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Ganduje, who was previously the deputy governor under Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, revealed that he would have slapped Kwankwaso if he had encountered him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
After a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Ganduje, visibly enraged, accused Kwankwaso of being responsible for the demolitions taking place in the state. He stated that if he had come across Kwankwaso at the Villa, he would have resorted to physical aggression.
Ganduje's purpose in meeting President Tinubu was to brief him on the security situation in Kano State following the demolition activities carried out by Governor Yusuf's administration. Responding to questions about whether he had met Kwankwaso, who was also present in the Villa, Ganduje admitted that they had not crossed paths but suggested that a confrontation could have occurred if they had.
According to Ganduje, the demolitions were executed without proper investigation or prior notice in accordance with the Land Use Act. He further emphasized this point during his discussion with the president and had also submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, along with video evidence showcasing the looting and vandalism that occurred during the demolitions.
Ganduje claimed to have thoroughly briefed the president on the demolition exercise, which affected not only his own supporters but also those of Kwankwaso, whom he accused of ordering the demolitions.
He described Governor Yusuf as a "stooge" of Kwankwaso, who was becoming increasingly unhappy due to the widespread condemnation of the demolitions.
When asked about the extent of the damage caused by the demolitions, Ganduje mentioned that human rights organizations were assessing the situation. However, he did reveal that one affected developer had filed a lawsuit against the government, seeking compensation of over N10 billion.
Governor Yusuf defended the demolitions, stating that they were carried out to fulfill his campaign promise of restoring the urban development masterplan of the city. He also asserted that the demolitions were not an act of revenge against Ganduje's previous administration and hinted that more demolitions could be expected in the future.
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