From outset, let me make it clear that while I am not, in this piece, trying to allude that the management of Breeze FM have no any right to drag the state government to court over the demolition of their structures the action of the state government was however, consistent with the powers conferred on it by the constitution.

Indeed, it would be noted that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura has of late received so many condemnations from the media (both mainstream and social) as well as from some select members of the public on account of some of his policies to wit: Squabbles regarding payment of salary of civil servants and demolition of Freeze FM as well as planned sale of dilapidated government properties in Lagos, Kaduna and

Jos. 

As a matter of fact the only time that Governor Al-makura came close to similar attacks from the media and from select members of the public was when security personnel in his convoy had a misunderstanding with one Ms Lois Lorvihi along Lafia, Akwnaga federal highway sometime 2015 and also when his government terminated the service of one Rukkayat Tijjani Usman who worked with the Ministry of Justice over her comment in her face book account.

While it is not my intention to open a fresh debate over matters that have already been settled, however, from my personal observations thus far, Governor Al-makura is not to blame for both incidents including the demolition of Breeze FM and the brouhaha over payment of salaries of civil servants in the state.

 For reason of time and space, I will take on the issue of demolition of Freeze FM which to be candid, is one that attracted lotsof negative commentaries against Al-makura with some even going to the extent of ascribing all sorts of names to him. Of- course, Al-makura as chief security officer of the state and by extension chief custodian of the entire progress and well-being of the people of the state has a responsibility to protect the life of each and every individual residing in the state regardless of his/her tribe or religion.

This responsibilities place Al-makura on a pedestal which he has to take decisions however painful, so as to advance the course of justice and fair play.

Indeed, it has been argued rightly, that the demolition of Breeze FMthough painful, was an action government had to carry out to protect the citizens who  reside in the area where the radio station was cited, against what is  referred to as ‘transmission radiation’

which we all know is hazardous to human life. It was also argued fittingly, that government has to carry out the demolition exercise to ensure compliance to building regulations, to conform to best practices around the world. In this wise therefore, one can conclude that the decision to demolish the radio station was in the best interest of

the state, as the objective was to protect the people against all forms of radiation arising from transmission by the radio station. 

In this connection therefore, the demolition of the Freeze FM must be seen and appreciated within the context of the fact that the exercise was done in order to protect the people which was precisely the essence of government. By this demolition, Al-makura has indeed, aptly acted by the oath of his office which is to protect the people against all harms that may come their way.

Locating Breeze FM in a private residential home by the proprietor was a contravention of all known regulations regarding town planning; this is one hard fact that we have to accept if we are to be sincere.

The Nasarawa Urban Development Board (NUDB) which by law is empowered to regulate all urban planning in the state has by the demolition, also acted within the confines of the law which established it. The insinuations that NUDB nay the government, did not follow due process in carrying out the demolition exercise was bunkum just as the allegation that government carried out the demolition to stifle the voice of dissent in the state. Yes, those at the helm of affairs at NUDB are no fools; they cannot just go and start carrying out a demolition exercise without first meeting the requirements necessitating the exercise, knowing fully well the existence of the rule of law as well as the rights of individuals as enshrined in our constitution.

On issue of the allegation that Al-makura carried out the demolition exercise to stifle dissenting voices in the state, to me, no discerning mind would buy into this propaganda. Freeze FM has no capability, at least to my understanding, that could constitute a threat to the wellbeing of the Al-makura-led administration in the state.

After all, this was a radio station that cannot transmit beyond three kilometers outside Lafia. Besides, as it is today in Nasarawa state, the present government would not require  any draconian measures against any individual or group opposed to it as what it has been able to accomplish within this short period are enough to defend it in

whatever form or shape and in whatever circumstance . Stifling of dissenting voices can only happen with a non- performing leader or non performing government.

Without mincing words, the Al-makura led administration in the last six years has impacted positively on the life of the people of the state and therefore ther is no amount of propaganda or blackmail that can weaken what he has achieved for the state.

This issue of demolition of Freeze FM has for the better part of this year dominated our media space for no good reason other thanmischief perpetrated by those averse to the good work Al-makura is doing in the state; otherwise, I cannot see any  other reason behind all the fuss. The demolition was carried out after so many correspondences between the NUDB and the proprietor of the radio station; thus, adequate notice was served to the latter by the former.

Of-course, democracy thrives where opposition is strong hence without opposition democracy becomes hollow, but in a  situation where those in the opposition were hijacked by the enemies of progress and turned into an instrument of mischief, blackmail and vendetta, nobody should expect government to just sit and allow things to go awry knowing fully well about all the obligations and responsibilities which goes with the art of governance. No responsible government would allow tiny and select individuals who arrogate to themselves all the ‘wisdom of the world’ to misuse and abuse what is in the general interest of the people in the name of opposition or hiding under the cover of  freedom of expression to perpetuate illegalities . At every point in time we should expect that government can jettison individual rights and liberties to safeguard its interest and that of the people.

As we have seen, Breeze FM was not the only structures affected by the demolition exercise carried out by the NUDB at that particular time, there were other structures affected too which also included a structure owned by Sarkin Kwandere, an elder brother to Al-makura. The inclusion of Sarkin Kwandere’s structure in the demolition was a demonstration of the fact that Governor Al-makura has no ulterior motives or any other interest other than public interest in the whole demolition exercise carried out by the NUDB.

Protection of what is in the public interest has been the overriding factor that made the state government to act the way it did in the case of Breeze FM and in all other cases of demolitions carried out in the state. Treading the path of propaganda, blackmail and intimidation to curry public sympathy as the management of Freeze FM is currently doing cannot solve the problem. The only solution is to take the path of civility by doing what is right. While we watch with keen interest and rapt attention to the  proceedings of the court on this matter we want to reiterates that the government acted based on the provisions of the law.