A 58-year old serving health worker in Sokoto state, Hajiya Maryam Muhammad, has sought for the intervention of Governor Aminu Tambuwal over alleged forceful ejection from the government quarters allocated to her 21 years ago.
Maryam who has been 33 years old in the state civil service and currently attached to the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency was said to have been ejected from the house located at Garkuwa road in Minanata Area by the police following the verdict of the Tribunal Court.
Her predicament started December last year shortly after Governor Tambuwal approved the sale of government quarters to their original occupants when she received a quit notice from the Director General of the State Housing Corporation, Abdullahi Muhammad Sokoto, and there was nothing stated in the letter as the reason for her ejection.
"I then went to his office to inquire what did I do wrong to be served with a quit notice because the house was allocated to me 21 years ago and i have been paying my rent as at when due and even when the house got burnt some years ago, I renovated it with my money. He then told me that it was a directive from the Ministry of Land and Housing and that I should go and see the Commissioner, "she stated
She added:" I later discovered that the Commissioner was misinformed that the house was empty because one of the closest aides of the Governor is interested in the house."
Maryam recalled:"When I first met the Commissioner, he was very sympathetic with me and promised to assist me but later turned his back against me."
She said:" I then ran to the Chief of Staff to the Governor who called the DG and directed him to ensure justice is done to my case. He also submitted a copy of my petition to the Governor and he directed the Secretary to the State Government who is the chairman of the committee, selling government quarters to deal with the matter justly but since then nothing was heard about it."
She added: "I also went and complained to the Attorney General and petitioned the Sultan but all to no avail as I was taken to the Rent and Housing tribunal by the ministry which gave me 24 hours to leave the house or be forcefully ejected."
Hajiya Maryam, who is looking after her orphaned grand children in addition to her own children is a native of Barga village in Tambuwal local government area.
She alleged that over 50 armed policemen evaded her house around 7am on Wednesday and forcefully ejected her and her family members who claimed that the house was allocated to the Social Protection Unit of the police.
She further alleged: "But I reliably gathered that they are only using SPU as a cover up because the house was allocated to one of the closest aides of the Governor."
Maryam lamented: "I am now homeless and confused because I have no where to take these orphans and my children to. Is this the best way to appreciate a dedicated staff who has been serving the state for 33 years. I had wanted not to bring the matter to the public court because of the respect I have for Governor Tambuwal but I am left with no other option."
According to her:"I want the Governor to be aware of this because they barred me from seeing him. I want him to intervene."
When contacted, the Director-General said it was only the Commissioner that could speak on the matter.
However, the Commissioner for Land and Housing, Alhaji Bello Gwiwa, said that it was the court that ejected her and not the ministry adding that she could appeal against the judgement.
"I will personally advise her to go back to court as bringing the issue to the press will not help her because they cannot change anything," he added.