Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, have urged the United Nations to slam a visa ban on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State over the demolition of buildings at Ajao Estate Lagos.
The apex Igbo socio-political youth group claimed that most of the demolished houses were owned by Igbo people in Lagos.
COSEYL expressed fury over the action of the Lagos State Government, accusing Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of instigating ethnic confrontation
The Igbo socio-political youth group in the South East dismissed the excuses by LASBCA as flimsy, alleging that the action was a political vendetta.
COSEYL alleged that the demolition was targeted against Ndigbo in Lagos for voting massively for the candidates of the Labour Party during the just-concluded general elections.
In a press statement by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, COSEYL called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to halt the action to avoid plunging Nigeria into avoidable turmoil.
The statement read in part: COSEYL is enraged over the massive demolition and destruction of houses and property belonging to Igbos in Rockview Ajao Estate and other areas supposedly won by the Labour Party, LP, during the presidential elections in Lagos State.
“This is wicked, barbaric, senseless and stupidity of the highest order.
“Governor Sanwu-Olu is gradually building up anarchy and a war which might consume the entire Nation. We warn him to retrace his step and stop forthwith the demolition of Igbo houses in Lagos State.”
COSEYL further alleged that the situation raises suspicion over the innocence of the Lagos State Government in the series of fire incidents in Igbo dominated markets in Lagos.
The statement further read: “Dr William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory ones said that:” If you are emotionally attached to your tribe, religion or political leaning to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, your education is useless. Your exposure is useless. If you cannot reason beyond petty sentiments, you are a liability to mankind.”
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call Governor Sanwu-Olu to order before he throws the country into anarchy and lawlessness.
“Nigerians no matter the tribe are constitutional empowered by law to live in any state or community of their choice and that law is bigger than Sanwo-Olu and his partners in crime to change overnight.
“We call on the United Nations and the international community to immediately intervene while also placing a visa ban on Governor Sanwo-Olu and his partners in this wickedness against humanity.”
At least 13 houses have been demolished by agents of the State Government since the exercise began on Friday.
General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, had during a press conference, claimed that the affected buildings lacked required approvals.
He also claimed that they were sited around airport restricted areas while some were allegedly built on aviation fuel pipelines.
Oki said the buildings could result into pipeline explosion and loss of lives in the future.
