Governor Abdulrahman's Vicious Demolition Order Has Cut Off Livelihoods And Left Hundreds Of Families In Ruins
By Abdulfatah Abdulkareem
At a time when the country faces serious economic challenges arising from the different unfriendly policies of the Tinubu’s administration, it's unconscionable that the government would choose this period to exacerbate the plight of its citizens in this manner. The timing of this demolition exercise calls into question Governor Abdulrahman's priorities and his commitment to the well-being and welfare of the people he governs.
For many of these shop owners, their businesses were more than just a source of income; they were a lifeline, a sense of purpose, and a testament to their hard work and resilience in the face of challenges and hardship they encounter daily as Nigerians. They invested everything into their businesses – their savings, their time and their sweat, toiling tirelessly to grow their businesses and build a better future for themselves and their loved ones, and in an instant, it was all taken away, leaving them with nothing but uncertainty and fear.
One of the affected shop owners, who is my neighbour and a single mother of two, had poured her heart and soul into her small shop at Tanke that was demolished two days ago. When I met her this morning, she was visibly distressed and couldn’t stop expressing her frustration and lamentations. "I only just renewed my shop rent of N100,000 two weeks ago, and I had just restocked my shop only a few days ago. This is the only source of livelihood that I have got, and it is from its proceeds that I use to feed my children and send them to school," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Now, I don't know how I'll continue to feed them, let alone pay their school fees. Where do I run to?"
I know of another shop owner, an Igbo man, who I patronize occasionally. He is a young man who had just gotten married and had invested his entire life savings into his electronics store. Yesterday, when I called to emphatise with him on the demolition of his shop, he struggled to hold back his tears as he narrated his situation to me. He said, "This is a business I have been growing for years. I was even planning to expand my business further so as to enhance my capacity to provide for my new family. Now, the shop is gone, and I don't know where to start from."
The stories are countless, each one a poignant reminder of the human cost of Governor Abdulrahman’s vicious demolition order. The affected shop owners are not just statistics or nameless faces; they are real people, with real families, real struggles, and real dreams. And they deserve better than to be treated like collateral damage in the name of urban development. No doubt, family members (running into thousands) who depend on these shop owners will also feel the multiplier effects of this inhumane decision of the Kwara State government.
Among political observers and analysts in the State, questions have been asked as to why Governor Abdulrahman chose this period in his second term to carry out this ruthless demolition exercise that has left hundreds of struggling families in ruins and misery. “Why didn’t he do this during his first term in office? Was he afraid of the political backlash that would arise then?” These are the kinds of questions that came up when I had conversations with some political observers over this matter, and all these points to the fact that the governor prioritise his re-election bid over the welfare of the people.
It should be noted that demolishing the shops of citizens and cutting off their livelihoods without providing alternative solutions or support is not only unjust but also cruel. This has only got to show how insensitive and uncompassionate Governor Abdulrahman and his circle of advisers are. It is the responsibility of the government to protect and empower its citizens, not to leave them vulnerable and helpless. What Governor Abdulrahman – who is ironically referred to as ‘Alaanu Mekunnu’ by his sycophantic followers – has just done is nothing but a callous disregard for human suffering and I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude.
As an ordinary citizen who has no power, I can only empathise with the affected shop owners and their families as they grapple with the harsh realities of lost livelihoods and shattered dreams. I also urge the state government to explore alternative solutions that balance the needs of urban development with the welfare of its citizens. What happens to doing governance with a human face? Surely, the affected shop owners deserve compassion and help at this period. The people of Kwara State deserve a government that truly cares.
Abdulfatah Abdulkareem, a concerned Kwaran, writes from Ilorin.
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