The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has strongly rebuked the Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu for the demolition of properties owned by Nigerians in Lagos State.
Obi specifically condemns the actions of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State government, which is allegedly targeting markets predominantly populated by Igbos and buildings owned by Igbos in the state.
Among those affected is former Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike, who claims that his house was demolished despite obtaining due approval from relevant authorities.
Expressing his dismay, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State in the South East region, deems it irresponsible for both state and federal governments to carry out demolition exercises on the properties of poor Nigerians, especially amidst the prevailing hardship in the country.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Obi voices his concerns, stating,
“It’s with complete despondency and unhappiness that I have followed the ongoing demolitions of properties across the country, especially knowing the extra hardship such acts have been heaping on hapless citizens who are already battling with multi-dimensional Poverty.”
According to him, “What a responsive government should be doing under the current harsh economic conditions in the country is to come up with measures aimed at alleviating the people’s hardships and to carry out measures that will take more people out of poverty.
“Even if there are some violations as the governments are claiming, this critical time is not auspicious for such an exercise knowing the hardship in the land and the consequences it will have on the poor who are struggling to make ends meet with their little resources.
“The poor in our midst who are putting their meager resources are going through very severe financial stress that should not be multiplied further. In some cases, the properties being demolished are the lifetime savings and retirement abodes of the aged and incapacitated.”
He added, “My appeal therefore is for the respective governments involved in this act to consider the hardship in the country and try to put a human face to their actions.
In conclusion, he appeals to the respective governments involved in these demolitions to consider the hardship in the country and adopt a more compassionate approach.
| Sahara Reporters
