Obi: Government plunging Nigerians deeper into hardship with demolitions

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says the demolition of citizens’ properties by government authorities without notice is unlawful and insensitive.

There have been demolition of plazas at the trade fair complex in Ojo LGA of Lagos.

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 statement on Monday, the former Anambra governor said the willful destruction of people’s homes, shops, and goods by government agencies remains “deeply condemnable”.

Obi said such actions “were unacceptable, especially under an administration whose policies had pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty within 29 months”.

According to him, rather than compounding citizens’ hardship, the government should prioritise compassion and relief measures for struggling families.

“This is happening across the country at a time when the government is supposed to be lifting citizens out of poverty. Instead, it is plunging them deeper into hardship,” he wrote on X.

Obi said the demolition of shops and properties have destroyed livelihoods, crippled businesses, and jeopardised the survival of honest Nigerians.

“These demolitions destroy livelihoods, undermine businesses, and threaten the economic security of hardworking citizens,” he said.

“Many of these shops contained goods worth billions of naira, representing years of investment and toil.

“What legal authority justifies the destruction of private property — clearly not used for criminal purposes — without prior notice or due process?”

He questioned whether the demolitions served the public interest or were simply “arbitrary and disproportionate exercises of power”.

The politician said government actions must always uphold the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights to their livelihoods and dignity.

“These acts of demolition send a chilling message to entrepreneurs across the nation and beyond: that their hard work and sacrifices can be wiped away overnight,” Obi said.

“If we fail to stand against such injustices, we risk undermining the very foundations of economic growth and social stability.”

He added that every Nigerian deserves the right to earn a living through honest work without fear of arbitrary government action.

“That right must never be trampled,” Obi added.