The Sokoto State Government has sealed a campaign office being used by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing concerns over the ownership of the property.
The action was announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, who led a delegation of government officials to the premises.
According to the commissioner, the decision followed a recent clash involving supporters of different political parties in the area. He said the government was taking steps to maintain order and prevent further disturbances.
“The purpose is simply to inform the general public that there is a government in town and that it has to be respected,” Dantsoho said in a video that circulated on social media.
He explained that reports of disruptions linked to political supporters prompted the state government to review documents relating to the property, including its certificate of occupancy.
Dantsoho said the investigation revealed that the building is officially owned by Savannah Bank, based on available government records.
He added that the state government has written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which he described as the custodian of the property, seeking clarification on who currently has legal control of the building.
“As of today, the records have not changed. On that basis, we have written to the NDIC, which is the custodian of this building, to establish who currently has custody of it,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the government is yet to receive a response from the NDIC and will await further clarification before taking additional action.
Pending that response, he said the premises would remain sealed in the interest of public safety, maintenance of order and protection of property.
“In the meantime, to preserve and protect lives, maintain order and safeguard property, this place is hereby sealed until further notice and pending a response from the NDIC,” Dantsoho stated.
He further called on any individual or organisation claiming ownership of the property to provide relevant documents for verification.
“For now, this property is under the control of the Sokoto State Government, and that stands,” the commissioner said.
The ADC had not publicly responded to the development at the time of filing this report.
