By: Sunday Oyewole
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed Saturday evening ordered that Adamawa Governor’s Lodge should be sealed off.
The Abubakar Baraje-led PDP had relocated to Adamawa Governor’s Lodge located in Maitama district in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the sealing off of its secretariat at Oyi Crescent, Maitama by the police.
Justifying the decision to seal-off the Lodge, the Minister cited abuse of Abuja master plan, saying the building si now being used for political activities contrary to what it was meant for.
A statement issued by the Chief Press secretary to the Minister, Muhammad Sule Hazat reads in full, “The FCT Administration has sealed-off the Adamawa State Governor’s Lodge in the Maitama District of the Federal Capital City for abuse of the Abuja Master Plan.
“All the Governor’s Lodges in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja are enshrined in the Abuja Master Plan to be for residential purposes but not for Political Party Secretariat as Adamawa State Governor’s Lodge
is currently being used.
“The Governor’s Lodge as it is today is being used as a Political Party Office thereby negating the spirit of urban planning and causing nuisance and disturbance on the residents dwelling in that area of the
city as well as inflicting undue pressure on the infrastructure and services therein, contrary to the principles of the Abuja Master Plan.
“The FCT Administration will not rest on its oars until the entire 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City is rid of all illegal structures and/or illegal change of Land Use.
“It may be noted that any change of Land Use is usually accompanied with over stretching of facilities planned for certain number of people; apart from also causing high volume of traffic with its attendant problems.
“The Administration wishes to assure that all actions by a person or group of persons that inflict pains on the residents whether directly or indirectly would not be condoned as government is meant to serve and protect the rights of all.
“The FCTA will continue to protect the Abuja environment and the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan in line with the dreams of its founding fathers; believing that such plans were meant to be obeyed and adhered to”.
Prompt News Online recall that the crisis rocking the ruling party blew open when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and seven governors stormed out of the last special convention of the PDP held at Eagles Square, Abuja.
They later addressed a press conference at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre during which they announced a splinter group christened ‘New PDP’ and a parallel national executive under the chairmanship of Abubakar Baraje with Olagunsoye Oyinlola as National Secretary.
The seven governors now known as G7 are: Governors Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Muritala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano), Sule Lamido (JIgawa) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).
