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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered the immediate demolition of a complex owned by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Moshood Mustapha.
The governor’s directive came as a result of an ongoing political disagreement between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, the governor issued a notice allowing just three hours for all occupants to vacate the premises.
It was gathered that the operatives from the Nigeria Police Force were deployed to the site to ensure the building was effectively barricaded during the demolition, which commenced around 7 p.m. on Sunday.
In May 2024, the Kwara State government, in a statement through the Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, refuted reports claiming there were plans to demolish a building belonging to Mustapha on Ahmadu Bello Way.
Ajakaye clarified that the ongoing marking of structures along the road is standard practice to ensure adherence to building setbacks.
The statement said, “The KW-GIS (Kwara Geographic Information Service) is identifying areas that encroach on government-designated setbacks as rehabilitation work begins on Ahmadu Bello Way.
“While a portion of the fence and adjoining kiosks on the MM complex do go beyond the approved building footprint, the main building itself is not under threat of demolition. The focus is on ensuring all structures comply with setback regulations, a process applied consistently on Unity Road, University of Ilorin Road, and other areas undergoing development.
“However, the KWGIS is only concerned with the fence and the adjoining kiosks that offend the setbacks on the two roads. No more, no less. The schematic diagram was too clear to be interpreted in light of ambiguity.”
Ajakaye said the lines marked in red in the drawing showed the land area occupied by the building owned by Mustapha.
He said, “Anything outside of that red line is outside of the C of O approved for the structure. Everything to the right of the red line is the government setback. That is where the fence and the kiosks are. It is what has been marked to give way for the road project. And this affects everyone else whose structure encroaches the setbacks.”
“It is pertinent to note that from Greater Kwara’s findings: The area of land grabbed is about 550sqm and even the main building is outside the approved land allocated and clearly on the set back,” he said.
The statement emphasizes that following setback regulations is vital for the project’s success and applies equally to all property owners. It urges the public to be wary of misinformation and avoid actions that could disrupt the peaceful development of the state.
In response to the demolition of the building, Mustapha stated that the governor sent his aides to his shopping complex to give all his tenants just three hours’ notice, despite having valid documents.
Mustapha further claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq threatened to demolish his complex solely over a political disagreement.
Mustapha said, “Good evening, everyone. I regret having to use this medium again to discuss the unfortunate situation we are facing in Kwara. Today is October 6th, and if I’m not mistaken, I am currently in the Netherlands on a business trip. The time here is 10:21 pm, which means it’s 9:21 pm in Nigeria.”
Mustapha accused Governor AbdulRazaq accused of acting irrationally.
He said, “He threatened to demolish my company complex simply because of a political disagreement. He has completely lost touch in Kwara, as he has been running a one-man show in the state’s politics.
“Those of us who were part of the APC know that he came into power two weeks before the primaries that we contested together.”
He alleged that AbdulRazaq became governor through backdoor means, and while they accepted it, they soon realized he was not carrying anyone along.
He said, “We are certain that the people of Kwara are not gullible; they have noticed his behavior. The results of the last local government elections testify that the APC is no longer performing well, and the PDP and other political parties are doing much better.
“Because of this, I informed him that I am no longer willing to work with him, and he has responded by threatening to bring me down.
“Several months ago, I made this known through the same medium. Many believed it was mere political propaganda. However, last night, he sent his boys to my shopping complex, giving my tenants only three hours’ notice to vacate, even though we have valid papers.
“We had already secured approval from the Town Planning Development Authority for the property. He stated that no one could stop him and that he would continue to destroy anyone who disagrees with him. This is not how democracy should function.
“As we speak, he has used the Commissioner of Police in Kwara to carry out this illegal demolition of an innocent person’s property at 9 pm on a Sunday. The President of Nigeria needs to hear this. I have sent people to Waseem Biamila and to the presidency to inform them of the situation since it began yesterday.”
Mustapha said, “The agencies that should focus on providing safety and not aid the governor for personal gain. At around 7 pm last night, they barricaded all access points to the shopping complex as if preparing for war against Boko Haram.
“If they displayed this level of enforcement to tackle the security issues in northern and eastern Nigeria, I am confident we would have a much safer country.
“They intend to destroy a property worth 1 billion naira. I have all the evidence and profiles in my possession. As we speak, it is almost 9:30 pm in Nigeria (10:30 pm here in the Netherlands), and I have information that they did not allow any of my staff to approach the site.
“This is the reality we face in Kwara. This is a wake-up call. It is Moshood today, but it could be anyone tomorrow. We need to unite as Kwarans to fight this menace.”
“Thank God we have a president who does not tolerate such nonsense. I am eager to see how this situation unfolds. Thank you for your time,” Mustapha added.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) has said it is removing the Crystal corner shops because new findings show clearly that they grossly violate government’s land use approval issued to the owner on March 22, 2013.
In a statement released on Sunday, by KWAGIS chairman, Sulyman AbdulKareem, said that the approval was for the purpose of a commercial “car park only.
KWGIS also said the illegal building conspicuously creates obstacles for urban planning, road expansion and environmental protection, key features of the urban renewal programme of the government.
“It is trite to say that a land allotted for the purpose of a car park cannot and should not become corner shops which it became overnight,” it said.
“Importantly, the land was originally designed as a green area (a garden) where civil servants, pensioners, and members of the public relaxed at the new state secretariat complex.”
The agency said tenants occupying the shops have been asked to remove their goods, adding that the ongoing urban renewal programme is in the best interest of the public.
“The programme is neutral to affiliations as many defaulting properties had earlier been removed for similar reasons, and it will be unfair to give preferential treatment to any structures above the larger interest of the public,” Sulyman added.
