Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the most recent general election, responded to the recent destruction of houses in Lagos State.
Obi pleaded for the government to take the suffering of the people into account and make an effort to humanize their policies.
“All government actions must show compassion, even though we should enforce sensible regulations,” he declared.
According to a report, the State’s practice of demolishing unlawful constructions has not been without criticism.
Affected citizens have voiced their disapproval as the administration moves forward with what it described as a “restoration of sanity.”
Numerous others asserted that the destruction was infamously unfair and discriminatory, particularly among the Igbo people.
On the one hand, the administration claimed that the reason the impacted buildings were being demolished was because they were against state law.
However, given the challenging economic circumstances facing the nation right now, the former governor of Anambra State stated in a post on his X account on Thursday that the government ought to have devised policies targeted at easing the suffering of the populace.
He noted that, notwithstanding the administrations’ claims of certain infractions, the timing of the exercise was unfavorable due to the hardships facing the country and the impact it would have on the impoverished.
“I have followed the ongoing demolitions of properties across the country with complete despondency and unhappiness, especially knowing the extra hardship such acts have been heaping on hapless citizens who are already battling with multi-dimensional poverty,” the speaker stated.
In light of the severe economic circumstances the nation finds itself in, a responsive government need to devise and implement policies that would help people escape poverty and lessen their suffering.
“This crucial moment is not favorable for such an exercise, given the suffering in the nation and the implications it will have on the poor who are fighting to make ends meet with their few resources, even if there are some transgressions as the governments are saying.
“Those who are impoverished and using their limited resources are under extreme financial strain, which shouldn’t be exacerbated further. Some of the properties being razed are the retirement homes and life savings of the elderly and disabled.
Therefore, I’m making a request to the various governments participating in this act to take into account the difficulties facing the nation and make an effort to humanize their activities. While reasonable restrictions should be upheld, compassion must be shown in all government acts.
