The Ebonyi South Youth Assembly (ESYA) has rejected allegations that the Ebonyi State Ministry of Capital City Development selectively targets opposition members in its demolition of illegal structures, insisting that the exercise is strictly guided by extant urban planning laws and not political considerations.
The Assembly, in a statement jointly signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku, and Secretary, Mr. Peter Ibiam, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, defended the Commissioner for Capital City Development, Chief Richard Idike, against criticisms by social commentator Chika Nwoba.
The group described the allegations against the Commissioner as misleading, unsubstantiated and lacking credible evidence, maintaining that development control remains a statutory responsibility of government aimed at promoting orderly urban growth, public safety and environmental sustainability.
According to the statement, every organized state in Nigeria operates under approved physical development master plans and building control regulations, which require property owners and developers to obtain the necessary approvals before embarking on construction projects.
The Assembly argued that before alleging political persecution, critics should first determine whether affected structures complied with approved building plans, possessed valid development permits and met the integrity and safety standards prescribed by law.
"It is unfair and irresponsible to conclude that every demolition carried out by the Ministry of Capital City Development is politically motivated without first establishing whether the affected buildings violated existing planning laws," the statement read.
The youth body dismissed claims that only properties belonging to opposition figures were affected by the enforcement exercise, describing the allegation as speculative and unsupported by verifiable facts.
"The Ministry is enforcing development control laws applicable to every resident of Ebonyi State irrespective of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity or social status. The law does not recognize political parties in determining compliance with building regulations," the Assembly stated.
It further explained that the enforcement of planning regulations, including the removal of illegal structures, is a standard practice across Nigeria, citing similar exercises carried out by authorities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to protect the integrity of approved master plans.
"It is therefore unfair to condemn Ebonyi State for implementing the same urban planning principles that are applied in other parts of the country. Enforcement of planning regulations should not be misconstrued as political intimidation," the statement added.
The Assembly also disagreed with claims that Ebonyi State has become unfriendly to investors, asserting that the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has continued to improve infrastructure, strengthen security and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
According to the group, responsible investors are more inclined to invest in jurisdictions where the rule of law is respected and development standards are consistently enforced.
The Assembly urged members of the public to disregard statements capable of creating unnecessary apprehension among investors or portraying the state in a negative light without credible evidence.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to freedom of expression, the group stressed that such rights should be exercised responsibly and founded on facts, fairness and the public interest.
It called on Chika Nwoba to refrain from making what it described as sweeping allegations capable of undermining public confidence in government institutions without substantiating them with verifiable evidence.
The Assembly further advised individuals who believe they have been unlawfully affected by any government action to seek redress through appropriate legal channels rather than resorting to inflammatory public accusations.
Reaffirming its support for lawful urban development policies, the Ebonyi South Youth Assembly encouraged residents of the state to comply with approved building regulations in the collective interest of sustainable development and the continued growth of Abakaliki and Ebonyi State.
