Saraki Responds To Demolition Of APC Chieftain’s Multi-Million Naira Mall In Kwara

Saraki Responds To Demolition Of APC Chieftain’s Multi-Million Naira Mall In KwaraFormer Senate President Bukola Saraki has spoken out against the recent demolition of Crystal Place Mall in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State. The demolition, carried out by the government of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, involved the mall owned by former House of Representatives member Moshood Mustapha and occurred last weekend.

This incident has ignited controversy in Kwara State and heightened tensions between Governor Abdulrazaq and Mustapha, despite their shared affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Reports indicate that the mall was demolished on Sunday night in the presence of security personnel.

According to Daily Trust, tenants of the mall stated they received a three-day eviction notice from the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) on Friday, citing various infractions. Suleiman Abdulkareem, the chairman of KW-GIS, clarified that the land had initially been allocated to Mustapha for a commercial car park but was instead developed into a shopping mall, violating the government’s land use approval granted on March 22, 2013.

He emphasized that illegal constructions hinder urban planning, road expansion, and environmental protection, which are key elements of the government’s urban renewal program. Abdulkareem noted that the area was originally intended to serve as green space for civil servants, retirees, and the public to enjoy leisure activities near the newly established state secretariat complex.

The agency has instructed shop tenants to vacate and clear their merchandise, stating that the current urban renewal initiative is meant to benefit the public. However, Mustapha, through his media aide Dr. Opeyemi Aregbesola, rejected claims that the construction violated the original authorization, asserting that the mall was built in accordance with the approved commercial use plan.

“There’s no need to sugar-coat it; this is pure political vendetta,” Mustapha stated. He argued that the government’s compulsory acquisition of properties is permissible but must follow established processes, criticizing the eviction as a violation of his constitutional rights.

This development follows a rift between Governor Abdulrazaq and Mustapha regarding the ₦17.8 billion renovation of the Kwara Hotel. The governor canceled a contract previously awarded to Mustapha worth over ₦5 billion, citing a lack of capacity, and subsequently assigned it to another contractor at a revised amount. Mustapha contended that the demolition of his mall was retaliation for his advice to the government about the new pricing.

In response to the situation, Senator Saraki characterized the governor’s actions as “petty.” Saraki, who previously served as governor of the state, noted that while some might expect him to remain silent due to his political ties with Mustapha, he chooses to take a broader perspective.

“It is violence against the people of Kwara State and the economy of the state,” Saraki asserted, emphasizing that his condemnation of the demolition reflects his concern for the overall welfare of the community. He accused the governor of using the demolition to intimidate and suppress Kwarans, suggesting it is a reaction to the growing unpopularity of his administration.

“Why is Abdulrazaq only just realizing faults with the Crystal Mall structure after 64 months in office?” Saraki questioned, highlighting the apparent inconsistency in the governor’s actions.

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