Outrage as El-Rufai goes on demolition spree, dethrones royal fathers
With days to the end of his tenure, Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai found himself embroiled in controversy as he carried out a last-minute demolition spree, targeting properties belonging to members of the Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), across the state.
In a leaked memo dated April 20, the Director General of Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority, Ismail Umaru-Dikko, sought the governor’s permission to demolish 907 structures across the state.
Among the 48 properties marked for demolition, three Islamic schools, one hospital, and numerous residences belonging to IMN members became the focus of the demolition exercise.
The demolition operation commenced in the early hours of Sunday, led by government officials accompanied by heavily armed security operatives.
The spokesperson for the IMN, Abdullahi Musa, confirmed the incident and expressed his dismay.
He revealed that the demolished structures included schools, hospitals, and residences belonging to their members.
The three Islamic schools affected were Fudiyya Nursery, Primary and Secondary School in Tudun Wada Kaduna, Fudiyya Islamic School in Unguwan Rimi, Rigasa Kaduna, and Fudiyya Islamic School in Dan Madami, Rigasa Kaduna. Additionally, the renowned Kawthar Hospital and Maternity, serving the community, met the same fate.
One of the heartbreaking aspects of the demolition was the sight of a copy of the Holy Qur’an lying on the ground amidst the debris of one of the schools.
The bulldozer operators paid no regard to the presence of the holy books as they destroyed everything in their path. It is important to note that all the schools demolished were duly registered with the state government, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the governor’s actions.
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In a separate development, Governor El-Rufai deposed two traditional rulers in Kaduna State: Jonathan Paragua Zamuna of Piriga Chiefdom and Gen. Aliyu Iliyah Yammah of Arak Chiefdom.
According to a statement from the Commissioner for Local Government, Hajiya Umma Ahmad, their deposition followed recommendations from the Ministry of Local Government, in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of the Traditional Institutions Law No. 21 of 2021.
Effective from May 22, both traditional rulers were stripped of their positions.
The statement further announced that Babangida Sule, the District Head of Garun Kurama, would oversee the affairs of Piriga Chiefdom temporarily, pending the appointment of a new chief.
Similarly, Gomna Ahmadu, Council Secretary of Arak Chiefdom, would oversee the affairs of the chiefdom and initiate the process for the appointment of a new chief.
The government’s decision to depose Zamuna was influenced by recent communal clashes between the Gure and Kitimi communities of Piriga Chiefdom in Lere Local Government Area, as well as his non-residence within the chiefdom.
In the case of Gen. Yammah, the government deemed his response to a query regarding his appointment of four district heads, contrary to the approved number for his chiefdom, and his non-residence within Arak Chiefdom as unacceptable.
Consequently, the government also announced the immediate disengagement of the heads of Aban, Abujan Mada, and Anjil communities in Arak Chiefdom.
These developments further intensified the controversies surrounding Governor El-Rufai as his tenure neared its end.
As public opinion continued to be divided over the governor’s actions, spokesperson for the governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, remained silent, providing no response to inquiries from DAILY NIGERIAN seeking the government’s reaction on the matter.
The governor’s silence left many questions unanswered and added fuel to the already heated debates surrounding the demolitions and the depositions.
As the days ticked closer to the end of his tenure, Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s actions continued to draw both criticism and support.
The demolition spree targeting properties belonging to members of the Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky-led IMN and the subsequent depositions of traditional rulers in Kaduna State created a wave of controversy that overshadowed the governor’s final days in office.
The affected communities, members of the IMN, and concerned citizens awaited further developments, hoping for clarity and resolution amidst the tumultuous events.
However, as the political landscape shifted with the approaching transition of power, it remained uncertain how these actions would shape the future of Kaduna State and its relationship with the affected communities.
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