By Halimah Olamide
The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the planned demolition of 200 houses in the Nuwalege community of Abuja to make way for the presidential fleet.
Obi in a post via X on Thursday expressed his displeasure over the decision to carry out such projects at a time when the country is undergoing hardships.
NPO Reports that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had directed the Director, Department of Development Control to ensure that Nuwalege community, along the Airport Road gives way for the presidential fleet plot.
He further noted that the most important thing to do with the situation of the country is to adopt means of cutting costs so as to finance other crucial projects that would benefit the masses, rather than demolishing homes.
“I would like to reiterate that at this time, our preoccupation should be how to do away with the Presidential Fleet, or reduce it to the minimum, to cut costs and save up for more critical projects to help the people, instead of demolishing people’s homes.
“A country where the World Bank announced that over 100 million citizens are being pushed into poverty, should not at this time be sending hundreds of people into homelessness to accommodate the Presidential fleet of luxury aircraft. We need to focus instead on how to lessen the pain and suffering of poor people.”
The former Anambra state governor also stated that it is imperative to have a rethink to ensure that Nigerians are not rendered homeless over an “unproductive presidential fleet”
“We cannot continue to encourage those who have kept us suffering to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle far beyond our legitimate means. A democratically elected people-oriented government must always care for the people, above itself.
“We should rather focus on helping the people and developing our critical sectors for the sake of our national peace, progress, and development. No nation grows or develops by subjecting the people to avoidable inconveniences to accommodate the luxurious excesses of its rulers.” He wrote