Governor Babagana Zulum on Friday ordered the Borno State Urban Development Board to unseal the headquarters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The governor noted that the seal of the office in the capital Maiduguri was “wrong timing.”
A statement by spokesman Isa Gusau said after Zulum became aware of the board’s action, he directed that it should be reversed.
The board has been carrying out a series of reforms, including shutting down some buildings owned by individuals, corporate bodies, and government institutions.
The action followed the contravention of laws relating to non-compliance with Maiduguri’s town planning procedures.
Zulum said though the conversion of a building in a residential area to an office was wrong, the timing of the enforcement was not right either.
The governor believes the board’s decision would attract political interpretation, which could heat up the polity and cause needless distractions.
“Governor Zulum has directed that the board should suspend its own rule on this particular instance bordering on the NNPP. The Governor believes that reversing the decision is in the overall public interest”, Gusau said.
The Borno helmsman insists political parties should be lawfully operating and citizens free to associate with any platform of their choices without hindrances.
Zulum further advised authorities dealing with issues that could involve parties to invite stakeholders for consultations and jointly agree on conduct that should align with existing state laws.