The Concerned Indigenes of Sokoto State have written to the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, seeking revocation of plots of land allocated to the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah.
In a statement by Aliyu Gidadawa, the group urged Mr Tambuwal to invoke the power vested in him by the Land Use Act, 1978 to revoke the allocations for overriding public interest.
Stating their reasons for demanding the revocation, the group said due process was not followed in the allocations.
“All the plots of land allocated to Bishop Kukah did not follow proper procedure. As a result, indigenes of the state who have been in long queues awaiting allocations were jumped by the Bishop, exploiting his connections with the Muslim establishments he has turned around to abuse in the public media. For lack of due process, we strongly hold the position that Kukah’s allocations are not valid and should therefore be revoked by His Excellency.
“The allocation of plots to Kukah at near zero cost, represents a huge loss of revenue by the State, because if the State had sold those plots in the open market. It would have generated very appreciable income, particularly considering their prime location, from which to support Almajiri schools which Kukah has been criticizing. He has taken away with one hand monies that the state could have used to promote social causes and is using the other hand to criticize the system which he himself has crippled.
“The plot on which the 30-room hotel is situated, was not allocated for commercial use but as a dwelling house, and the conversion for commercial use is a breach and abuse of the land use for the which the plot was allocated. This misuse alone is sufficient ground for revocation.
“Bishop Kukah has overtime been using the Catholic Church as a platform for promoting Kukah Center, which is a personal platform,” the group said.
It said the allocations include “a plot located behind the old the Old NITEL Building, on Birnin Kebbi Road housing two big mansions; a 30-room Hotel the Bishop built, around Abdullahi Fodio road; as well all other plots of land allocation to the Diocese Bishop in and around the vicinity of Sokoto town as well as within the entire Sokoto State.”
