Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed his views on the ongoing demolition of structures in Kano State.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the demolition, initiated by Governor Yusuf, aims to remove buildings constructed within government-owned landed properties by the previous administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Even before taking office, Governor Yusuf had made it clear that he intended to demolish illegal structures within government land. However, this exercise has sparked public outcry, particularly because many of the affected buildings were constructed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreements.
Peter Obi took to Twitter to criticize the Kano Government’s actions. In his tweet, he highlighted the paradoxical situation faced by Nigeria, where there is a housing deficit of 70 million and unmet housing needs across the nation. In light of these challenges, some citizens resort to building structures for homes, businesses, and offices. While some of these structures may not have been approved, they were often built with the knowledge or approval of local authorities.
Obi acknowledged that certain demolitions may be justified, but he emphasized the need for compassion and humane treatment of the affected individuals. He called on governmental authorities to enforce compliance with regulations while considering the human aspect and showing necessary compassion.
He wrote:
Recently, there have been reports of widespread government demolition of so-called ‘illegal’ structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error. We face a paradox: with a 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, some resort to self-help of building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores. Invariably, some of these structures were either not approved or were built with the tacit collusion or approval of the local authorities.
While some of these ongoing demolitions may be excusable, they have nonetheless, left many victims, mostly ordinary people who erred innocently or were ill-informed or misguided. Necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments, need not be punitive or unduly insensitive. There should always be room for compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action. I respectfully appeal to various governmental authorities to marry the need to enforce compliance with extant regulatory regimes, with consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion. In Nigeria, we live in a time of extreme difficulties for citizens because of stagnated income, spiraling 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 livelihood 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.
It cannot ever be overemphasized that the primary duty of any government is the responsibility to care for and protect her citizens. -PO
