JUST IN: Peter Obi Reacts To Ongoing Building Demolition, Calls For Compassion, Compensation

• Peter Obi, the LP candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, has reacted to the ongoing building demolitions in Kano and other parts of Nigeria.

• He emphasizes that while some demolitions may be necessary, compassion and compensation should be provided to the innocent victims.

• Obi calls for a humanitarian approach, considering the housing deficit and the difficult economic conditions faced by Nigerian citizens.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Peter Obi the LP candidate of the 2023 Presidential election has reacted to the recent on going building demolition in Kano and other parts of the country.

He stated that while some of these demolitions are done for the interest of the state, resources have to be put in place to take care of victims involved.

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The Presidential candidate aired his views in a post on twitter.

He stated:

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

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