Obi: Demolition of Personal Property Heaping More Hardship on Citizens

*Says there’s poverty in the land 

*Ohanaeze alleges anti Igbo-campaign in Lagos

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has cautioned  against demolitions of private property in the country by the federal and state governments, reminding them that there was poverty in the country.
Similarly, an Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze, has expressed concerned over what it described as re-emerging negative campaign against the Igbo living in Lagos and other parts of the country.

There has been threats of demolition of private properties by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Also,  some state governments, particularly those of Lagos and Kano, had embarked on demolition of buildings whose developers allegedly contravened environmental laws and building plans.

In Lagos, the state government and the Federal Housing Authority demolished some buildings in Lekki, Ikota, Ajao estate, FESTAC, Abule Ado and other parts of the state. The demolished buildings were said to have obstructed water drainage channels and contravened building plans.
On Wednesday, the Lagos government debunked allegations that the demolition exercise in the state was targeted at a particular ethnic group.
It was against this background that Obi, in a statement yesterday, said the demolition exercise was “heaping” more hardship on “hapless citizens, who are already battling with multi-dimensional poverty.”

The former governor of Anambra State said it was not the time to embark on a demolition spree given the prevailing economic hardship across the country.
“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 meagre 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.

“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. While we should enforce sensible regulations, all actions of the government must show compassion,” Obi stressed.

Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze, which assured President Bola Tinubu of its support now that the Supreme Court has ruled in his favour, said the actions of the Lagos State government seemed to give credence to an anti-Igbo message currently circulating on the social media.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, elder statesman and President of OHANEZE, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said from all indications, the anti-Igbo campaign was uncalled for and did reflect the reality on ground.

As part of the means of cushioning the effect of economic difficulties, he said Ohanaeze would set up a relief agency that would support Igbo men and women, who may be distressed or suffer loses due to crisis in the future.

According to him, “Rather than accuse the Igbo of domination, they should be commended for living the dream of one Nigeria and investing their energies and resources towards developing places that are not their home base.”

Harping on the ongoing demolition of buildings along drainage lines in Lagos, Iwuanyanwu said he has carried out investigation on what has happened, and that there was doubt that some of the properties affected by the demolition might have flouted the laws.

“I appeal to the Government of Lagos State to intervene and ensure that justice is done. If any body fails to obey the laws of the Land, the Igbo leadership will never support misconduct from any Igboman anywhere they live.

“I don’t have any doubt that there may be some instances where Igbo and perhaps other people whose property was demolished in Lagos did not fully comply with the laws of Lagos State,” he said.