Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Abba Kabir Yusuf, the leaders of Lagos and Kano States respectively, recently conducted extensive demolitions of properties believed to have been constructed without government approvals.
In Lagos, both residential and warehouse buildings at the Alaba International Market in Ojo Local Council area were demolished. The government argued that these structures were either dilapidated or encroached upon waterways.
Simultaneously, the Kano State Government carried out demolitions of residential buildings in Salanta Quarters and other locations.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, took to Twitter to express his appeal to governments nationwide to approach property demolitions with compassion.
In his post on Tuesday, Obi acknowledged that while some of these demolitions may be justified, they have nonetheless affected numerous victims, particularly ordinary individuals who unknowingly or mistakenly violated regulations.
He emphasized that it is unnecessary for corrective actions against planning or zoning violations to be excessively punitive or lacking in sensitivity. He argued that there should always be room for compassion and humane correction when taking remedial actions.
The former governor of Anambra State further stated that he respectfully urges governmental authorities to balance the enforcement of regulatory compliance with consideration for human emotions and the necessary compassion.
In Nigeria, citizens currently face extreme hardships due to stagnant incomes, soaring inflation, high unemployment rates, escalating socio-economic costs, and the high cost of living. Therefore, subjecting Nigerian citizens to additional unexpected hardships is unfair.
In Nigeria, we live in a time of extreme difficulties for citizens because of stagnated income, spiralling inflation, huge unemployment escalating socio-economic costs and high costs of living.
“Nigerian citizens should, therefore, not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. Moreover, the various concerned governments should consider paying compensation to those who have lost properties and livelihoods in these unfortunate demolitions to ameliorate their suffering.
“Such compensation should fall under the rubric of eminent domain that is applicable for properties and assets acquired or demolished in the public interest.
Additionally, Obi proposed that the concerned governments should consider providing compensation to those who have lost their properties and livelihoods in these unfortunate demolitions. This compensation would fall within the realm of eminent domain, which applies to properties and assets acquired or demolished in the public interest.
He stressed that the fundamental responsibility of any government is to care for and protect its citizens and that this duty cannot be overstated.
