According to Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Abdulmumin Ajia, an associate professor of Business Administration at Lincoln University, Missouri, US, has voiced sharp criticism of the recent demolition of a shopping complex in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital. Ajia, who previously ran for the governorship of Kwara State under the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) in 2019, issued a statement on Tuesday, describing the demolition as a "failure on economic policies."

In his critique, Dr. Ajia expressed that the Kwara State Government was ill-advised in its decision to demolish the Crystal Shopping Complex, which has sparked controversy across the state. The government’s justification for the demolition, based on zoning violations, was deemed insufficient by Ajia, who believes the move contradicts the state’s broader economic development agenda.

Dr. Ajia, who resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in August 2024, noted that the demolition exemplifies poor decision-making and failure to prioritize sustainable economic policies that benefit the public. He emphasized that such actions undermine investor confidence and could deter future economic activities in the state.

Ajia called on the Kwara State Government to reconsider its approach to urban development and prioritize inclusive economic strategies that stimulate growth without jeopardizing existing businesses.

“Fellow Kwarans, I am compelled to speak with you today on the recent demolition of the Crystal Shopping Complex along Sulu Gambari Rd, Ilorin. This is a dangerous precedent and the Kwara governor and the administration that he leads are not well advised”, he said.

The university don said that after the owner allegedly changed the purpose of government allocation from a commercial car park into a shopping complex, “the government ought to ask Crystal Shopping Complex and its owners to pay the appropriate tenement rates, building permits, and taxes as may be applicable”.

“Invariably, this will be a win for Kwara, we would bring in more revenue, partner with a local business to keep and generate more employment for our people, and in the process, we will generate ongoing taxes for our state thus adding to Kwara’s gross domestic product. This definitely would have been a win-win for all the parties involved.

“The opinion being bandied around that the Crystal Shopping Complex distorts a phantom master plan is not true. Most rational individuals will agree that the Crystal Shopping Complex has more economic potential for Kwara than a car park. If the Crystal Group decides to change their business strategy from a car park to a shopping complex, the right thing would have been to discuss rezoning and the payment of the appropriate fees. Pulling down a complex worth about 700, 000 dollars (over 1 billion Naira) is a wrong move by any government and October 6, 2024, will forever go down in Kwara as a dark day.

“A governor and by extension, his administration’s job is not to destroy but to build. Not to divide but to bring people together”, he said.

Ajia, who urged people in Ilorin and across Kwara state to remain peaceful and law-abiding, said that, “this too shall pass”, adding, “We must all be mindful of God’s judgment and tarry a little as we take monumental, life-changing decisions”.