Labour Party’s Edeoga Condemns Enugu State Government’s Demolition Spree As Unconstitutional And Scary (Details)

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections in Enugu State, Barr Chijioke Edeoga, has described as scary and unconstitutional the recent wave of demolitions carried out by the Enugu State Government in various parts of the state….CONTINUE READING 

Edeoga accused the state government, under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, of disobeying court orders and usurping the constitutional powers of local government areas. He argued that demolishing people’s places of business without plans for alternative locations would exacerbate the suffering of the people.

The Enugu State Government is currently undertaking demolition exercises affecting the Holy Ghost transport hub in the state capital and the Ogige Market in Nsukka, among other places. These demolitions are part of a plan to build standard motor parks in the affected areas.

In a statement issued on Thursday morning, the Labour Party governorship candidate also lamented the destruction of a private polytechnic owned by Rev. F. Emmanuel Ede, a charismatic preacher and founder of Madonna University. Edeoga expressed dismay that the government demolished the institution in defiance of a court order.

“If there have been suspicions that the administration in Enugu State is insensitive to public sentiment and disdainful of the rule of law, the demolition of OSISATECH tended to validate it. It is scary that a government that swore to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is routinely disobeying court orders,” Edeoga stated.

He also criticized the demolition of shops and a section of the Ogige Market, emphasizing the adverse impact on hundreds of businesses and the livelihoods of ordinary people and their families. Edeoga noted the irony of the government collecting hefty taxes and levies from these businesses only to demolish their premises shortly thereafter.

“While it is understood that some of those areas demolished have constituted challenges of congestion and are due for some form of urban renewal, it must be recognized that no urban renewal activity has ever happened in one fell swoop. Development, especially as it affects urban renewal, is an incremental activity that takes cognizance of impacts on persons and businesses,” he continued.

Edeoga argued that a government genuinely focused on renewal would prioritize the well-being of the people and approach such changes with careful planning and consultation. He expressed concern over the lack of consultation with affected communities and the absence of relocation plans before the demolitions.

He further pointed out that many parts of the state needed renewal but criticized the government’s failure to develop relocation and compensation plans before destroying properties. Edeoga emphasized the importance of government actions being driven by the needs of the people and the necessity of respecting court orders.

Edeoga called on the government to urgently compensate all those affected by the demolitions, build new markets to accommodate them without cost, and demonstrate respect for the judiciary and the rule of law.

“The Enugu State Government must take immediate steps to respect court orders as is the practice in every civilized democratic country. A culture of disrespect to the judiciary is tantamount to disloyalty to the Constitution, which provides for three independent arms of government that act as checks on one another,” he concluded.

Published By: Destiny.Jnr