The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the demolition of a commercial plaza owned by Attom Magira, a prominent figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Borno State, branding it a blatant act of political persecution and intolerance.
In a fiery statement on the 1st of March, 2025, PDP’s Borno Publicity Secretary, Amos Adziba, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led state government of weaponizing state institutions to crush opposition voices.
“The demolition of Hon. Attom Magira’s property is nothing short of a wicked and cowardly act, driven by political vendetta,” Adziba declared, condemning the move as a calculated attempt to silence dissent and stifle political opposition not just in Borno, but across the nation.
He outrightly dismissed the justifications provided by the Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) and the state government, calling them “baseless, false, and incongruous.”
According to him, the APC-led government’s impatience to await legal proceedings proves that their actions are rooted in illegitimacy.
“The APC-led government could not even wait for the court process to be completed, simply because they know they are pursuing an illegal agenda,” Adziba asserted.
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He further described the incident as an unwarranted invasion, a show of brute force, and a reckless assault on private ownership.
“This ferocious invasion, the harassment of citizens, and the demolition of private property cannot be justified by any reasonable means,” he emphasized.
Adding to the controversy, the PDP alleged that the demolition was carried out in secrecy, further casting doubt on the government’s true motives. “The timing of this operation, carried out in the dead of night and under the cover of darkness, exposes the state government’s desperation and the unwholesome nature of its actions,” Adziba pointed out.
The party also issued a stern warning, stating that such aggressive moves against opposition figures were dangerous and could escalate tensions in the state. “The APC and the Borno State government should desist from stretching the patience of the people. Actions like these are already causing tension that could trigger serious unrest,” the statement cautioned.
Reaffirming its support for Magira, the PDP urged the ruling party to abandon what it termed an undemocratic and oppressive path. It further warned that any further attempts to seize Magira’s property would be met with resistance. “The people of Borno will resist any attempt to use state power for political victimization,” the party declared.