Sokoto Government Seals ADC Campaign Office

The Sokoto State Government has sealed an African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign office in Sokoto metropolis following questions about the property’s ownership.

According to Channels TV, the media aide to ADC governorship candidate Aminu Abdullahi confirmed the development. Abdullahi said the Commissioner for Land and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, visited the property with a letter asking the occupants to identify the building’s rightful owner.

According to him, the government maintains that the property belongs to the defunct Savannah Bank, which has since been liquidated. It therefore considers anyone occupying the building an illegal occupant.

Dantsoho had earlier explained that the government sealed the property on Monday to protect lives and property following an alleged disturbance involving ADC supporters and some suspected miscreants.

The commissioner said the government reviewed the available documents and found that the property was originally owned by Savannah Bank. He added that the records showed no official change of ownership.

“Following a review of the certificate of occupancy and other relevant documents, we discovered that this property belongs to the Savannah Bank, and that ownership has not changed as of today,” he said.

Dantsoho also said the government had written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which he described as the property’s custodian, to confirm its current ownership.

“We have written to the NDIC, the custodian of this building, to clarify its present ownership, but we are yet to receive a response,” he added.

The commissioner added that the government would keep the premises sealed until the NDIC responds. He explained that the decision was necessary to prevent further disturbances and protect lives and property.

He also asked anyone claiming ownership of the building to submit relevant documents for verification and proper registration. According to him, the government would release the property to its rightful owner after the ownership issue is resolved.

However, Dantsoho maintained that the property would remain under the state government’s control until then. He warned that anyone who attempts to forcefully enter the sealed building would face legal action, including prosecution.

The building, located along Ahmadu Bello Way, previously housed the defunct Savannah Bank. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also used it as an office in the state.