Amidst the wave of building demolitions in Lagos State and various parts of the country, Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the upcoming 2023 elections, has implored governments at all levels to exhibit compassion and avoid exacerbating the plight of the impoverished.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) last Thursday, the former governor of Anambra State called on state and federal authorities to inject empathy into governance, given the array of economic challenges facing Nigerians.

The demolition spree has persisted for weeks in Lagos, where the state government and the Federal Housing Authority have been dismantling structures in areas such as Ikota, Lekki, Alaba, Ajao Estate, Abule Ado, Ladipo Market, and other parts of the state. These structures were reportedly in violation of the city's master plan and erected on drainage channels, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of families.

Reacting to these events, Obi expressed concern that the demolitions were compounding the hardships Nigerians were already grappling with in multidimensional poverty. Given the harsh economic conditions, he emphasized that a responsive government should focus on implementing measures to alleviate the people's struggles and lift more individuals out of poverty.

Even acknowledging potential violations, Obi stressed that the current challenging times were not conducive to such exercises. He urged governments to consider the financial stress experienced by impoverished citizens who are striving to make ends meet with their limited resources.

Obi stated, "The poor in our midst, who are investing their meagre resources, are undergoing severe financial stress that should not be further multiplied. Sometimes, the demolished properties represent the lifetime savings and retirement abodes of the elderly and incapacitated."

In conclusion, Obi appealed to the respective governments involved in the demolitions to take into account the prevailing hardship in the country and approach their actions with a human touch. He advocated for the enforcement of sensible regulations while emphasizing that all government actions must be carried out with compassion.