Former Minister of Education Mrs. Obi Ezekwesili has come under fire from public affairs pundit Chief Adesunbo Onitiri for her outburst against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for removing decaying buildings at Alaba International Market in Lagos.
Onitiri said on Saturday that the former minister had been unjust to the governor in her outburst and that the governor did not need any more justification for the destruction of the market buildings.
The governor had no wrongdoing in razing the structures in the issue since there was evidence of gaping fissures and falling foundations.
“Ezekwesili’s reaction was unjust, irrational, and reeks of tribal feelings. The moment is now for wise leadership. We should avoid animosity, pettiness, and tribalism, he remarked.
Ohaneze brings up the predicament of Igbo merchants in relation to the demolition of the Alaba Market.
Being a professional in the construction sector, Onitiri emphasised that such structures with obvious indicators of unfitness and unlivable circumstances had to be demolished before they fell on ignorant citizens doing business.
Markets are also public structures with high human traffic, thus, they must be sturdy and suitable for both human residence and commercial activity. In Lagos, we don’t pray for any buildings to fall.
As a well-known Lagosian, he said, “We back our unflappable governor for demolishing the crumbling and sinking structures in our marketplaces to prevent catastrophe.”
He emphasised that safeguarding the lives and property of its inhabitants is a holy responsibility of every responsible government.
Onitiri stated, “We firmly cautioned our previous minister not to play politics with human lives.
