The Kebbi government says the demolition of a property belonging to the African Democratic Congress in Birnin Kebbi was a private land dispute.
The information commissioner, Yakubu Ahmed-BK, stated this at a news conference in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Mr Ahmed-BK said the government neither authorised nor took part in the demolition of the property around Azbir Hotel, along Sani Abacha Bypass.
Mr Ahmed-BK said investigations by relevant committees established that the land belonged to a businessman, Umaru Gulumbe, who presented documentary evidence, including a certificate of occupancy signed by former Governor Adamu Aliero.
He explained that Mr Gulumbe had reported alleged trespassing on the property to the police and petitioned the Ministry of Lands and Housing before taking steps to reclaim the land.
According to him, the businessman subsequently presented relevant documents to substantiate his ownership claim and challenged anyone disputing his ownership to seek redress in court.
“The businessman invited anyone with documents establishing ownership of the land to challenge his action in court rather than resort to political noise,” he said.
Mr Ahmed-BK said the incident drew public attention after graders appeared at the site. He added that it was subsequently politicised by ADC supporters, who alleged that the state government ordered the demolition of the party’s property.
Ahmed-BK said, “The Kebbi government had no prior knowledge of the matter and played no role in it. It remains an entirely civil dispute between private claimants.”
Mr Ahmed-BK maintained that the matter was entirely a civil dispute and had no connection with the Kebbi government. He accused the ADC of spreading misinformation to discredit the APC-led administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mr Ahmed-BK alleged that the opposition party was exploiting security challenges and other sensitive issues for political advantage rather than engaging constructively.
He said the government remained committed to its development agenda under Idris and urged residents to disregard what he described as attempts to create unnecessary tension in the state.
The commissioner further alleged that some opposition figures were using political platforms to pursue personal interests, including seeking protection from ongoing legal proceedings involving alleged financial impropriety.
Mr Ahmed-BK said the government would not allow what he described as deliberate misinformation to undermine public confidence in its administration or threaten residents’ peaceful coexistence.
(NAN)
