The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, has reacted to the recent demolition of properties in Lagos State, appealing to the government to consider the hardship in the country and try and put a human face to their actions.
There have been wide reports that the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was carrying out massive demolitions of markets populated by the South-Eastners and buildings owned by Igbos in the state.
Controversy has continued to trail the demolition exercise but Lagos Government said it was demolishing illegal structures because it contravened the State’s laws, but the government transparency is doubtful as many claimed that the demolition was notoriously discriminatory and unjust, especially against the Igbos.
However, the former Anambra State governor in a post on his X handle on Thursday was of the opinion that the government should have come up with measures aimed at alleviating the people’s hardships considering the current harsh economic conditions in the country.
According to him, “while we should enforce sensible regulations, all actions of government must show compassion.”
He said even if there were some violations as the governments claimed, this time was not auspicious for such an exercise, knowing the hardship in the land and the consequences it would have on the poor.
He said, “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.
“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 life time savings and retirement abodes of the aged and incapacitated.
“My appeal therefore is for the respective governments involved in this act to consider the hardship in the country and try and put a human face to their actions. While we should enforce sensible regulations, all actions of government must show compassion.”