Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has strongly condemned the demolition of Crystal Place, a shopping mall in Ilorin, Kwara State, by the state government led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
In a scathing press statement, Saraki described the demolition as “violence against the people of Kwara State and the economy” and accused the governor of using the exercise to intimidate and silence the opposition.
Saraki questioned the governor’s motives, noting that the Crystal Mall structure had stood for 64 months without issue, and wondered why Abdulrazaq was only now realizing the alleged faults with the building.
“This is not about me or my relationship with the owner of the mall. This is about the people of Kwara State and their right to economic development,” Saraki said.
The former Senate President expressed concern over the job losses and economic impact of the demolition, which has left over 100 youths without livelihoods and 21 shop owners without investments.
“Instead of focusing on growing the economy and generating employment, the governor is busy destroying investment and impoverishing the people,” Saraki lamented.
Saraki also alleged that the demolition was a retaliation against the people of Kwara State for rejecting Abdulrazaq’s party in the recent local government polls.
He called on leaders and stakeholders in Kwara State to speak out against the government’s actions and urged the people to remain fearless and undaunted in standing up for their rights.
