The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, on a ‘Street Parliament Tour’ visited Gbagyi Villa on Thursday to meet with the people of the community on the issue of the planned demolition of their houses by Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Senator who is strongly against the move for the demolition of the Gbagyi Villa stated how important it is to value human lives than acquiring piece of lands.
The Senator went round on inspection of the community was surprise to see graves of late Gbagyi people dating back 95 years ago in different compounds.
One of the graves was that of Honorable Maria Dogo’s mother who lived all her life in Gbagyi Villa.
She died at 85years old and was buried in the family compound.
In the Senator’s exact words: “From my own little knowledge, the present generation of Gbagyi Villa people are almost the 3rd or even 4th generation of people who have resided on this land.
“And it is right to address you all as the indigenous people of Gbagyi Villa.
“As the indigenous people, you have the moral and political rights to claim the rightful ownership of the land.
“And I will emphasize on it in a small phrase: “People are much more important than land”.
“The first objective of any government is to exist and commit itself in the welfare and wellbeing, peace, order and comfort of its own people and citizens.
“We are in the time of democracy and the people have the fundamental right to say NO.”
He reiterated that the case of Gbagyi Villa, will be a true test to know if truly Nigeria is a democracy; as Nigerians and the whole world are watching.
Comrade Shehu Sani said his coming to Gbagyi Villa is not just because he’s the Senator representing the people, but also reminded the people that he is a human rights activist.
The Senator urged the people of Gbagyi Villa to remain calm and patient as everything will be done to resolve the matter on ground.
© Copyright Kaduna News Online. Send eyewitness accounts/reports/articles to publisher@elombah.com; follow us on twitter handle @Elombah; like our Facebook page: “Elombah.com”.