Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr. Abdullahi Alhaji Sule has appealed to members of the Nasarawa State Development Association, Lagos State chapter to remain calm and be law abiding following their protest over alleged sale of the state liaison office in Lagos.
Recall that the NSDA members had at the weekend protested the alleged sale of the building, located at Plot 1234 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island.
The group in an open letter to the governor had alleged that the property was sold by former governor of the state, Senator Umaru Tanko Almakura to himself when he was governor of the state.
However, in a meeting held at the Liaison Office in Lagos on Wednesday, the delegation of the governor led by the state’s Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Labaran S. Magaji, appealed for calm.
In his remark, Barrister Magaji who was accompanied by the Director Administrative and Supplies, Office of the Secretary to the State Government of Nasarawa State, Ismaila Ahmed, said the state governor, Engr Sule has received the petition of the group and has taken it over to resolve the issue amicably.
He reminded the group that purported sales of the building were done during the past administration, however, with the public outcry, the current administration is looking into the matter, assuring the group that everything will be resolved in due time.
“After receiving the letter, Governor Sule, being a responsive leader, is appealing to members of the Nasarawa State Development Association, Lagos State chapter to remain calm, as his administration has taken several steps to investigate the purported sale of the building in Lagos.
Barrister Magaji explained further that his presence in Lagos to meet with leaders and members of the association is testament to the fact that the governor has a high regard for the association and all its members, and will always have their best interest at heart.
“This current administration in Nasarawa state has already taken steps and it is looking into the matter. The state assembly has initiated the process of investigating the purported sales, and its findings will be made public when it is done,” he added.
In his own remark, Chairman, Nasarawa State Development Association, Alhaji Musa Ikushigya, commended the pragmatic and responsive manner in which His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Alhaji Sule has reacted to their protest against the alleged sale of Lagos Liaison Office by sending a delegation to interface with them.
“This show of compassion and empathy is unprecedented and has reignited our deep sense of respect, trust and hope in the Governor. We do hope that the Government, after its findings, will do what is right.
“This is not about us; it is about the prosperity and integrity of the state. Because if every governor were allowed to sell one state asset or another to himself or his cronies, then a time would come when Nasarawa State would have no assets left.
“On the other hand, we want to warn those who are accusing me or any other members of this noble association of being used by the governor to desist from that dastardly act. I assure the public and indeed the patriotic citizens of Nasarawa State that His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Alhaji Sule had no hand in our protest; we did not have any conversation with him before or after the protest,” he added.
