The Sokoto State government has sealed the office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the party's presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Wednesday. The state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, announced the development on Monday, stating that the decision was made to protect lives and property following an altercation involving ADC supporters and suspected miscreants.
According to Mr. Dantsoho, the government had written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to clarify the ownership of the property, but had yet to receive a response. The property, he said, belongs to the Savannah Bank, and its ownership has not changed as of the present day. The government is taking measures to prevent further disturbances and safeguard lives and property.
The Sokoto State government's action has raised concerns among stakeholders, with many calling for a swift resolution to the ownership dispute. The ADC had planned to hold its presidential campaign flag-off in the state on Wednesday, but the sealing of its office may disrupt the event. The party has not officially commented on the development.
Commissioner Dantsoho warned that the government would take legal action, including prosecution, against anyone who attempted to forcefully gain access to the sealed premises. He urged anyone claiming ownership of the building to submit relevant documents to the government for verification and proper documentation, after which the property could be released to its rightful owner.
The NDIC, as the custodian of the building, has yet to respond to the government's inquiry on the property's ownership. The development has sparked anxiety among residents and politicians in the state, with many calling for calm and restraint. The ADC is one of the parties contesting in the upcoming presidential election.
Sokoto State is considered a crucial battleground in the forthcoming presidential election, with many parties vying for support from the electorate. The sealing of the ADC office has raised questions about the government's impartiality and its commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process.
The incident has also sparked concerns about the increasing tensions and disputes over property and ownership in the state. Stakeholders have called for a more transparent and efficient process for resolving such disputes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Sokoto State government seals ADC office citing ownership dispute and safety concerns ahead of the party's presidential campaign flag-off.
- The government had written to the NDIC to clarify the property's ownership but had yet to receive a response.
- The sealing of the office may disrupt the ADC's presidential campaign flag-off event scheduled for Wednesday.
