The recent demolition of the Crystal Place Mall in Ilorin has sparked significant controversy and anger among residents of Kwara State. The mall, owned by former House of Representatives member Moshood Mustapha, was demolished late Sunday night, with security provided by the police. This event has further strained the relationship between Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Mustapha, who are both members of the same political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to reports, the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) issued a three-hour vacation notice to the mall’s occupants on Friday, claiming that the structure violated land use regulations. Suleiman Abdulkareem, the chairman of KW-GIS, stated that the land was originally allocated for a commercial car park. He added, “But he went on to erect a shopping mall, and new findings show that the structure grossly violates the government’s land use approval issued to the owner on March 22, 2013.” Abdulkareem explained that illegal buildings pose challenges to urban planning, road expansion, and environmental protection, which are crucial for the government’s urban renewal program.
He noted that the land was intended to be a green area for relaxation for civil servants, pensioners, and the public. Following the demolition, KW-GIS directed the tenants of the mall to remove their belongings, emphasizing that the urban renewal initiative is designed for the public’s benefit.
However, Mustapha has vehemently denied the allegations of any wrongdoing regarding his mall’s construction. In a statement released by his media aide, Dr. Opeyemi Aregbesola, Mustapha insisted that the mall was built according to the approved plans and that there was no violation of government regulations. He argued, “There is no need to sugar-coat it, this is pure political vendetta. Compulsory acquisition of properties by the government is not new; it can be done for overriding public interest, but there are processes that should be followed.” Mustapha condemned the eviction, claiming it disregarded his constitutional rights and represented political revenge.
The conflict between the governor and Mustapha intensified recently over the renovation of the N17.8 billion Kwara Hotel. Governor AbdulRazaq revoked a contract awarded to Mustapha for over N5 billion, citing concerns about his capacity to complete the project, and instead awarded it to Craneberge at a new price. Mustapha suggested that the demolition of his mall was retaliation for his comments on the new contract price.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who also served as the governor of Kwara, has criticized the governor’s actions as petty. Saraki, known as the Waziri of Ilorin, stated that while he and Mustapha have different political backgrounds, he felt compelled to speak out against the demolition. He remarked, “It is violence against the people of Kwara State and the economy of the state,” highlighting the broader implications of the governor’s decision.
Saraki also accused Governor AbdulRazaq of using the demolition as a means to intimidate and suppress dissent among the people of Kwara. He questioned why the governor only now found fault with the mall after being in office for over five years, suggesting that this action was a response to recent local government elections where the governor’s party faced significant opposition.
