Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has strongly condemned the demolition of his younger brother’s company building in Ikeja, Lagos, describing it as a clear example of lawlessness in Nigeria.
Obi said the property was pulled down without any court order or proper demolition permit. Security agents reportedly claimed they were acting on a judgment that only mentioned “unknown persons” and “squatters.”
“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity,” Obi said in a statement on Thursday.
He expressed deep worry about how unsafe Nigeria has become for business and investment. He shared a recent conversation with a businessman who had investments in Ghana, Senegal, and Benin Republic but refused to invest in Nigeria.
“I asked him why. His answer was piercing: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country. Until we have laws that protect people, nobody will invest in Nigeria,’” Obi said.
Obi said the incident reminded him of his own experiences with rights abuses simply for contesting the presidential election. He wondered how the country got to a point where people’s rights, lives, and properties are no longer protected.
He said, “I am just shocked. How did Nigeria get to this level of lawlessness?”
Labour Party chieftain Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour also reacted to the incident, calling it “a total shame.”
He wrote on X, “Lagos must be a state that values property rights and adheres strictly to the rule of law. Unfortunately, the state is being governed by juvenile and myopic politicians. This recklessness should stand condemned by all.”
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju also asked why the property owner was not given time to remove his belongings before the demolition.
Posting on Facebook, he wrote, “Where are we heading in this country? What kind of politics is this, for God’s sake?”
