A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), has strongly condemned Governor Seyi Makinde over the ongoing demolition of shops and structures in Akobo and other parts of Ibadan, describing the action as insensitive and a blow to the livelihoods of thousands of residents.
Alao, in a statement on Wednesday by his Media Office, berated Makinde’s administration for what he termed “unjust and poorly managed” demolitions, stating that if the governor could not alleviate the suffering of the people, he should not add to their suffering.
The Asiwaju of Irokoland, who vehemently condemned the recent demolition of over 400 shops at Alegongo Market in Akobo, Ibadan, by the Oyo State government under Governor Makinde, warned that the governor will “go down in history as Oyo’s worst governor” if the policy continues.
“The demolition is a harsh and insensitive blow to the livelihoods of thousands of traders and their families, especially at a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe economic hardship”, he said.
While highlighting the devastating implications for those affected, many of whom he said had allocation letters dating back two decades and were given little or no prior notice, thus losing their means of survival overnight, he maintained that the demolitions signpost the administration of Governor Makinde as inhuman to those it is meant to care for.
Alao also slammed Governor Makinde’s ongoing land grabbing activities, accusing the administration of using urban renewal as a guise to forcibly displace residents without adequate consultation, compensation, or provision of alternatives.
He warned that plans by the government to continue to demolish structures that house the daily livelihoods of ordinary citizens in Oyo State would deepen poverty and social unrest.
He said, “The time has come for well meaning people in our dear state to call Governor Makinde to order as his actions rather than bringing succour to the people are pushing many people into poverty, moreso, when the essence of any government is to better the lives of the people.”
Alao then urged the government to adopt a more humane and transparent approach to urban development, cautioning that the current strategy risks eroding public trust and worsening the already dire economic conditions faced by the masses.