The Kebbi State Government has categorically dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) linking it to the recent demolition of a building around Azbir Hotel, along Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi, describing the claims as unfounded, misleading and politically motivated.
The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, stated this on Monday while addressing journalists on the controversy surrounding the demolition. He maintained that the state government had neither authorised nor participated in the exercise, which, according to him, arose from a private land ownership dispute between individuals.
Ahmed-BK accused the ADC of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding the incident and attempting to turn a private civil dispute into a political confrontation. He said the opposition party’s allegations had created unnecessary tension and sought to portray the Kebbi State Government as intolerant of opposing political interests.
He explained that residents of Birnin Kebbi recently woke up to the sight of graders demolishing a building along Sani Abacha Bypass, attracting the attention of passersby, some of whom recorded the incident. Shortly afterwards, ADC supporters reportedly took to social media, alleging that the state government was responsible for the demolition and presenting it as an attack on opposition interests.
The Commissioner further observed that some aides to the ADC governorship candidate compounded the situation through inflammatory comments and personal attacks against Governor Nasir Idris, rather than establishing the facts surrounding the inciden
Ahmed-BK said preliminary investigations and documents presented by Alhaji Umaru Mohammed Gulumbe indicated that the matter was a private land ownership dispute. Gulumbe reportedly presented a Certificate of Occupancy bearing the signature of former Governor Adamu Aliero, alongside records of formal complaints lodged with the police and the Ministry of Lands and Housing.
He added that relevant committees had examined the ownership claims and that Gulumbe maintained that the property rightfully belonged to him. The businessman, he said, had challenged anyone with contrary ownership documents to seek redress through a competent court of law rather than resorting to public accusations and political mobilisation.
The Commissioner stressed that the Kebbi State Government had no prior involvement in the dispute and played no role in the demolition, insisting that the matter should be treated as a civil dispute between the parties concerned.
He expressed concern that despite the emergence of information pointing to a private land dispute, the ADC had yet to publicly clarify its allegations or tender an apology to the state government for statements that had portrayed it as responsible for the incident.
Ahmed-BK warned that politicising sensitive matters without establishing the facts could undermine public confidence, generate unnecessary tension and threaten the peaceful coexistence for which Kebbi State is known. He urged political actors to exercise restraint and ensure that their public statements do not inflame tensions or create divisions among residents.
The Commissioner also referred to previous political controversies involving the ADC and its prominent members, including the reported incident of September 1, 2025, when Abubakar Malami visited Birnin Kebbi with supporters from Sokoto State. Ahmed-BK alleged that the visit, which was publicly presented as a condolence engagement, was accompanied by incidents involving APC offices and vehicles. He further alleged that subsequent accounts of the incident misrepresented what transpired and called for a balanced examination of the circumstances.
On the security situation in Zuru Emirate, the Commissioner also challenged statements attributed to Malami concerning the June 2025 Tadurga attack, particularly the casualty figures he reportedly quoted. Ahmed-BK maintained that the figures circulated by Malami differed substantially from the numbers established by the relevant authorities and called for greater responsibility in communicating sensitive security information.
He similarly expressed concern over recent public statements attributed to ADC chieftain, Abubakar Shehu Koko, which he alleged contained divisive language capable of aggravating political and regional tensions within Kebbi State.
The Commissioner maintained that political competition should never become an excuse for spreading unverified information, attacking public institutions or exploiting sensitive community issues for partisan advantage.
He further stated that the allegations surrounding the demolition should not be used to distract attention from the ongoing activities of the Nasir Idris administration. He urged the opposition to engage the government on verifiable issues of public policy, governance and development rather than making accusations that could unnecessarily heighten political tensions.
Ahmed-BK therefore called on the ADC and the individuals responsible for circulating the allegations to publicly clarify their claims, retract any statements established to be false and apologise to the Kebbi State Government. He warned that the government reserved its right to seek appropriate legal redress to protect its institutional integrity and reputation should the alleged falsehoods remain unaddressed.
He reiterated that the government remained committed to the rule of law, peaceful coexistence and the protection of the rights of all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations.
