Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The State Urban Development Board of Borno State has been instructed by Governor Babagana Zulum to unseal the New Nigeria Peoples Party headquarters (NNPP).
An NNPP leader was detained on Thursday, and the party’s Maiduguri office was locked, according to a previous report from Track News.
The governor, however, ordered the board to immediately reverse its action in a statement released on Friday through his spokesperson, Malam Isa Gusau, and criticized the sealing of the HQ as having been done at the “wrong time.”
“The good people of Borno State are well aware that in the past three years, the Borno State Urban Development Board has been carrying out series of reforms, including sealing of some buildings operated by individuals, corporate bodies like banks, and even some government institutions which issues contravened laws relating to non compliance with Maiduguri’s town planning procedures,” the statement reads.
“Governor Zulum views the board’s decision as having been taken at the wrong time, despite the fact that the board claimed to have taken similar action against other offices when it sealed the NNPP headquarters for improperly converting a residential area for office use.
“Zulum thinks that regardless of the explanation, the board’s decision will inevitably be given a political interpretation, which could stoke political tension and lead to unnecessarily distracting issues.
“As a result, Governor Zulum had previously instructed the board to suspend its own rule with regard to this specific incident encroaching on the NNPP. The governor thinks that it is in the best interests of peace for everyone if the decision is reversed.
“Governor Zulum thinks that all political parties should have the freedom to function legally and that individuals should have the freedom to associate freely with the political parties of their choosing without being subject to restrictions.
“Zulum also advised authorities dealing with issues that could involve political parties to take into account the need to consult with stakeholders from all currently active parties and come to an agreement on conducts that should be in compliance with current state laws and without impairing the freedom and independence of all political parties to operate in Borno State.”
