By John Alechenu

The presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has observed with horror the ongoing demolition of businesses along the Lagos corridor of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, with its attendant job losses.

He expressed sadness that the demolition was being carried out at a time Nigerians were reeling under the yoke of poverty and hunger as a result of the poor policies and implementation by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Obi, who stated this in a series of tweets on his X handle yesterday, said: “Contrary to the dictates of reason and the necessity for compassion in the pursuit of public policy, the federal government has kicked off the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

“The outcry against this project has been overwhelming because it contrasts with the prevailing situation in the country at this time.

“However, reports as of yesterday indicate that demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right of way for the project has commenced from the Lagos end.

“The sight of this insensitive demolition is, for me, heart-wrenching. As we watch this tragic theatre, livelihoods are being wiped away. Lifetime investments are being laid to waste while jobs are evaporating as the bulldozers roar. Habitations of the aged are being overturned by bulldozers of power.

“This hasty flag-off is in utter defiance of widespread outcry by the public especially business and property owners whose investments are directly affected by this project. No one knows the outcry that will herald this project as it progresses towards poor rural landscapes.

“Thousands of jobs are about to be wiped out while in one case investments above $200 million are about to be lost. Over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector face clear and instant extinction.”

VANGUARD

Umahi accuses Obi of inciting Igbo against FG over coastal highway

By Jeffrey Agbo

Minister of Works David Umahi has knocked a former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his criticism of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

On Tuesday, Obi said in a statement that the President Bola Tinubu administration was, through the demolitions ongoing for the project, creating more unemployment and destroying investments that paid taxes, adding that the Landmark Beach Resort worth $200 million was adversely affected.

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Obi, a former Anambra State governor, said that the Federal Government failed to listen to the public outcry over the demolition of invested structures.

In reaction to Obi’s statement, Umahi said on Wednesday that the former was inciting the Igbo against the Federal Government.

Umahi spoke at an event organised to compensate the owners of demolished structures.

The minister claimed Obi did a similar thing while he was governor of Anambra State, and he did not even compensate people affected in his time.

READ ALSO: FG pays N2.75bn compensation for coastal highway demolitions today

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Umahi said: “It brings me to some of the comments made by my brother, his Excellency Mr Peter Obi, I am not supposed to comment about it because some people have already done the work.

“And I know what Arise Television brought courtesy of Channels Television, they were bringing similar scenarios when His Excellency Peter Obi was the governor. He made a statement saying ‘Any infrastructure that stands in the way of the road must go. And there would be no compensation paid.’ That’s what he said.

“But look at me, by the human face of the renewed hope agenda administration, we are even paying for people who are illegally staying on the coastal line, and don’t have valid infrastructure and valid documents. That is mercy, that’s mercy… You know some people darken counsel without knowledge. You know there’s the devil in the details.

“When you condemn people, you bring judgment upon yourself. And that is what he (Obi) has done. And I think he’s inciting some of the south east people that are not well informed. He is inciting them. And gets them into trouble. And he doesn’t go to fight for them. Wisdom is a defence. And I want our people to have wisdom because I am involved.

“There’s is no inhumanity meted to Landmark, that matter should be buried because I was there. And so we fought everything possible. Even some people donated property to save his two big infrastructure. That’s appreciation. But some people have taken sides along with him to play politics.”

As workers around the globe commemorated International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, showered praises on Nigerian workers for their dedication and resilience.

In separate messages, both leaders acknowledged the significant contributions of Nigerian workers to the nation’s growth while recognizing the challenges they face in receiving adequate rewards for their efforts.

Atiku Abubakar lamented the dire state of Nigerian workers, citing ongoing economic hardships and the lack of tangible improvements in their living conditions.

He criticized the current administration’s handling of issues such as fuel subsidy removal and tariff increases, which have exacerbated the challenges faced by workers.

Atiku called for the government to prioritize workers’ concerns and ensure their safety and health at work.

On the other hand, Peter Obi commended Nigerian workers for their unwavering commitment to nation-building despite adversities.

He highlighted the importance of workers’ contributions to the economy and urged solidarity in championing their cause and advocating for their rights.

Obi emphasized the need to celebrate workers’ achievements and collective resilience, reaffirming the commitment to building a better Nigeria for future generations.

Both leaders expressed gratitude to Nigerian workers for their dedication, patriotism, and sacrifice, recognizing their role as the cornerstone of the nation’s prosperity.

They called for unity, justice, and equality, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving national development goals.

As May Day celebrations concluded, the messages from Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi serve as a reminder of the invaluable contributions of Nigerian workers and the need for continuous support and recognition of their efforts.