The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on governments across the country to show compassion while demolishing properties they consider to be illegal.
Obi made the appeal in a tweet on Tuesday in response to the recent widespread government demolition of “illegal” structures.
The former governor of Anambra State said that 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.
He noted that the country faces a 70 million housing deficit, including vast unmet housing needs across the country, and noted that the necessary corrective measures for planning or zoning violations by governments do not have to be punitive or overly harsh.
According to Obi, “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.”
He noted that Nigeria is facing extreme difficulties for its citizens because of stagnated income, spiralling inflation, huge unemployment, escalating socio-economic costs, and high costs of living, and he emphasised that the primary duty of any government is to care for and protect its citizens.
“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.”
Credit: The Guardian