Peter Obi reacts to Alaba Market demolition by Lagos government

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted to the recent demolition of some buildings at the Alaba International Market by the Lagos State Government.

NewsWireNGR recalls Obi won the majority vote in Lagos during the presidential election.

The Lagos government earlier in the month marked 17 “distressed” buildings in Alaba international market in Ojo LGA of the state.

Gbolahan Oki, general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) noted the physically distressed building had marked inscription on different parts and vacation notices as far back as 2016, 2020, 2022 “and several others issued to this year, 2023.”

However, the development generated mixed reactions as some claimed the exercise was a punishment for the traders who voted against the former Lagos state governor and winner of the presidential election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting to the development, Peter Obi, in a statement via his Twitter handle on Tuesday said although some of the demolitions might be excusable, they had left many victims, mostly ordinary people who he believed were either innocently ill-informed or misguided.

The statement read: “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 by 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, 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.

“It cannot ever be overemphasized that the primary duty of any government is the responsibility to care for and protect her citizens.”