Demolition: Ugbor Community Youths, Children Storm Kabaka’s Residence

...begs Obaseki to rescind demolition order

...describes Kabaka as saviour

Residents of Ugbor Community in Benin City, on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 trooped to the residence of Tony Kabaka, in solidarity over the recent move by the Edo State Government to demolish his hotel located in the area.

In a video shot exclusively by ChrisOsaMedia, the residents in their numbers could be seen

kneeling and pleading with the state Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki to rescind his decision and halt the demolition order.

The residents who came out en masse, called on influential individuals and stakeholders to intervene on Kabaka’s behalf, describing him as their "saviour" in the area.

According to them, bringing down the properties marked for demolition indirectly means the Governor has destroyed all buildings and businesses in the area, saying that Kabaka has assisted lots of them in that community.

One of the residents who spoke said, Mr Edokpayi called on the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and other well meaning individuals to quickly intervene.

“Kabaka is a good man who don't deserve to have his properties and livelihood destroyed”, he said.

“That is why we are calling on our royal father, the Oba of Benin to intervene. We are also appealing to Mr Governor to please rescind his decision and order of demolition.

“You see the youths and women coming out en masse? That is to show you the level of love we all have for Kabaka. He is our saviour here who has touched the lives of everyone around him.

“Even the kids, children of the community are here kneeling down begging on his behalf. I also left every other thing I was doing as soon as I heard about this”, Edokpayi added.

The demolition of the said hotel was to take place today as the 7 days notice issued by the state government has since elapsed. But with the masses standing with Kabaka, it is believed that the Governor will reconsider his plan and hearken to the voices of the people.

As at the time of filing this report, there are heavy security presence around the hotel of Tony Kabaka located in Ugbor, Government Reservation Area (GRA) area of Benin City.

Meanwhile, Mr Kabaka has obtained an injunction from the Federal High Court restraining the state government from demolishing the said hotel pending the hearing of the case.

Culled from *ChrisOsaMediaGroup*