The National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Muiz Banire, has raised fears that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode may cause his aged mother, Hajia Sarat Banire’s death over move by Lagos State Government to demolish her residence.
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According to Banire, the state government through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has issued notice to demolish his nonagenarian mother’s residence at Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja, saying the development was politically motivated, and may cause his ailing mother’s death.
“All necessary reactions to the notice have been escalated to both the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government as I have caused my lawyers to respond to the notice appropriately. I have no doubt that this latest Gestapo tactic is in furtherance of the political victimisation and oppression raging against me and my associates. I am ready for the sacrifice even if I have to, in the process, sleep on the streets of Lagos.
“Rule of law and institution building remain sacrosanct to me. As far as God continues to protect my life, I will remain resolute on it. As the political repression continues, I urge all my followers and supporters to be calm. If God says that my ailing mother at the age of 90 will die in the hands of Governor Ambode, I give God the glory,” Banire told Punch.
However, Lagos Commissioner for Physical planning and Urban Development, Anifowoshe Abiola in a statement released to counter Banire’s allegation said the former Commissioner was whipping up sentiment, saying the move was a routine exercise, and it involves other properties.
The statement reads in part, “There is no way Lagos State would have had a pre-knowledge of the owners of the properties in question, let alone target the one that Banire has identified to be his own. This is a routine and lawful exercise that ought not to be confusing to a supposedly learned gentleman who has had the privilege of serving in the Lagos State cabinet for many years.”
