Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has condemned the demolition of plazas at the Lagos International Trade Fair complex in Ojo, Lagos state, alleging that the exercise did not follow due process.
Gatekeepers News reports that the operation was reportedly carried out by officials of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning, Building Control Agency, Urban Renewal Agency, and Physical Planning Permit Authority.
In a statement on Tuesday, Obi said he visited the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the market alongside lawmakers such as Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) and Victor Umeh (Anambra Central).
Obi alleged that the plazas were pulled down despite the owners possessing valid approvals, and praised the affected traders for maintaining calm despite what he described as a devastating loss.
He also revealed that some senators and members of the House of Representatives had pledged to investigate the demolition to determine the circumstances behind it and prevent a recurrence.
The politician further urged governments at all levels to act with fairness and compassion, noting that many of the traders had invested heavily in some cases through loans in hopes of securing their livelihoods and supporting the wider economy.
Obi said, “To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.”
He stressed that any society aspiring to progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens.
The former Anambra state Governor said that incidents of this nature should not be allowed to persist in a nation striving for stability and shared prosperity.
