Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose-led government yesterday forcibly evicted owners of houses in Irewolede Estate in Ado-Ekiti, who were yet to complete payment of their mortgages.
The task force’s team stormed the estate as early as 7am, backed by armed policemen and bulldozers, with padlocks and chains.
The action caused panic among the residents, especially women and children.
A mother and her three-day-old baby, belonging to the Chairman of Estate Landlords Association, Ayo Orebe, were locked inside his house.
The action followed a two-month ultimatum issued to those yet to complete their payments to do so or face eviction.
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The government announced on the state media its intent to move into the estate at the expiration of the deadline on August 5.
The demolished and sealed buildings belong to some former political appointees of the state’s immediate past administration.
A resident, Bolaji Fasanmi, alleged that the state government was biased in its mode of operation, asserting that only buildings belonging to the executive members of the estate were locked.
He added that those belonging to other residents, who were owing heavily, were left unsealed.
Orebe described the government’s action as unwarranted and witch-hunting.
He added that the residents signed mortgage agreements ranging between 10 to 25 years for civil servants and five to 10 years for politicians, which, he said, the state government had contravened.
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Orebe, who displayed evidence of his payment before reporters, explained that he had fulfilled his obligations through the primary mortgage institution and his house was still locked with a three-day old baby inside.
He said some of them had been living in the estate since 2008 and others in 2011.
The chairman noted that it would be wrong for them to be pushed out “in a disastrous way” after contributing immensely to the estate’s development.
“Some of the landlords bought their houses through mortgage arrangements and outright purchase, which will last for a period of between 10 and five years for the payment of the full money.
“Some of us have renovated our residences, spending several thousands of naira. Some of the landladies are widows, whose husbands bought the house and died few months after they got here.
“These widows have no means of livelihood and there is no way they can continue with the payments. Should we now ask those people to vacate for their inabilities to pay?” he queried.
Orebe added: “My people are aware of their indebtedness and we have even confirmed that to the government when the deputy governor met with us. But it will be difficult for us to pay this huge amount within a spate of short time.
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“But if proper arrangement is worked out, the government will get its money and it will at the same time be easy for us to pay. We shall be grateful, if the state government could grant us this opportunity.”
The General Manager, Ekiti State Housing Corporation, Soji Awe, refused to comment on the development.
For now, many residents do not know their fate. Whether they would be thrown out of their homes completely or be given the grace to pay up as some of the buildings have been demolished by the task force.
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