The Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has raised alarm over an alleged eviction order handed down to one of the churches in the state located in Zaria.
The State Urban Planning Development Agency, KASUPDA, allegedly issued a seven-day notice to St. George Anglican Church, Sabon Gari, Zaria, which is said to have existed for over 100 years.
The undated and improperly signed notice addressed to House No. 27, Church House, Sabon Gari Market, Zaria, which is St George’s Church, purported to be a directive from the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
It also claimed that compensation had been duly paid to the church adding that if the church failed to vacate the premises within the stipulated time, it would be evicted at its own cost.
“Reference to the directive given by the Executive Governor on the issue of market development which compensation has been duly paid.
“However you are hereby directed to vacate your residence within seven days from now, failure to comply will leave the agency with no option but evict you at your own expense (from 19h – 24 September),” the notice read.
The notice was signed by the “Zonal head” of KASUPDA on behalf of the “Zonal Manager” without any names.
Reacting to the development however, Chairman of the state CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, condemned the eviction order.
He described the notice as suspect, insisting such an order could not have come from the state governor.
Rev Hayab’s statement titled, “Governor Nasir el-Rufai should call KASUPDA to order,” read in part: “We are alarmed and apprehensive about this, if it is true that it is a directive from the governor. But we doubt much if the governor issued the directive.
“This is because in February 2016, the government made moves to relocate the church to pave way for the expansion of the market, but later realised that the church had all valid documents and that even some parts of the market were on the church land.
“Following the presentation of the necessary documents by the church, the matter was resolved amicably. We wish to state categorically that no compensation was paid to the church.
“Where did the KASUPDA officials get this false information that compensation had been paid?
“Or are the KASUPDA officials playing a script or are they being used by some faceless trouble entrepreneurs to provoke Christians?
“It should be noted that the church which was founded about 100 years ago, was liberal enough to allow the market in question to operate in some parts of its land. Is it now a crime to be liberal and accommodating?
“How could the governor revisit the issue which was resolved amicably in 2016, by issuing a seven-day quit order. We suspect that this could be the handiwork of some people who do not mean well for Kaduna State.”
He further called on Gov. El-Rufai to look into the purported quit notice from KASUPDA and take immediate action against those involved saying that would go a long way in calming fears and apprehension among Christians in the state and the nation at large.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, said he was not aware of the quit notice to the church, though he acknowledged that the state government was “redeveloping and expanding markets, including the Sabon-Gari market.”
