Kano Govt Demolition of Kano Roundabout is Due to Christian Cross, Says SSG
Kano State's Secretary to the Government, Baffa Bichi, has provided additional explanations regarding the demolition of the government house roundabout monument by Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf's administration. The decision to demolish the roundabout, which was constructed during the Abdulahi Ganduje administration to commemorate Kano's Golden Jubilee, has sparked widespread condemnation across the state.
In response to the criticism, the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Dawakin Tofa, had previously stated that the structure was substandard and at risk of collapsing within a year. However, during an interview on Freedom Radio Kano, Mr. Bichi revealed another reason for the demolition: the presence of a large Christian cross on the roundabout, which, according to him, goes against Islamic doctrine.
Mr. Bichi further explained that the structure was also causing obstruction for drivers accessing the various routes connected to it. He stated, “The roundabout is obstructing the view of motorists, and secondly, if you use a drone camera, you will see that the roundabout has a large design of a cross on top of it. And over 9.99 or 100 percent of Kano indigenes are Muslims. So you can't have a structure with a large inscription of the cross on it. It's against Islamic values.”
Citing Islamic religious beliefs and the alleged practices of Prophet Muhammad, Mr. Bichi argued that any object displaying the sign of a cross, no matter how small, should be destroyed. He further claimed that images of Kano often featured the prominent symbol of the cross, even extending to infrastructure such as the Muhammadu Buhari underpass in Hotoro. Mr. Bichi asserted that plans were underway to remove such symbols from the bridge.
Addressing the ongoing demolitions taking place across different parts of the state, the SSG alleged that the structures being demolished were acquired illegally by officials of the previous administration. He emphasized that the government would only provide compensation to individuals with genuine documentation proving their ownership.
Mr. Bichi stated, “Anyone who is defending the encroachment of public institutions like hospitals, schools, and Eid grounds is sick and needs medical attention. If you encroached on government land and the government took it back, there is no way you could claim any compensation. All these structures we are demolishing were illegally acquired and shared among officials of the outgone administration.”
Furthermore, the SSG revealed that the current administration aimed to recover government assets and properties that were sold outside the state.
The demolition of the Kano roundabout has ignited a heated debate, with opinions divided on religious, legal, and procedural grounds. While some argue that the structure's demolition was necessary due to safety concerns and adherence to Islamic principles, others have criticized the decision as an infringement on religious freedom and an unnecessary destruction of public infrastructure. As the controversy unfolds, the government of Kano State is likely to face further scrutiny and demands for transparency in its actions.
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