Front row from L-R: Tony Nwoye, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Peter Obi and Victor Umeh visit the Lagos trade fair complex after the demolition of some plazas in the complex in September
Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, has criticised the demolition of plazas at the trade fair complex in the Ojo LGA of Lagos state.
The exercise was carried out by officials of the Lagos ministry of physical planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.
In a post on Tuesday, Obi, who visited the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the market with a handful of lawmakers, including Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia south senator), Victor Umeh (Anambra central senator), said the plazas were pulled down despite valid approvals.
“I must commend the traders for their remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such painful loss,” he wrote.
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Obi said some senators and house of representatives members have pledged to investigate the demolition “thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to this unfortunate development” to forestall a recurrence.
“Beyond this immediate case, I urge government at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice, especially at this difficult time,” he said.
“Many of the affected traders invested heavily — often through loans — in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy.
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“To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.”
Obi said a society seeking progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens.
“Incidents like this should have no place in a nation that aspires to fairness, stability, and shared prosperity,” the former Anambra governor added.
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