The Lagos State Government has demolished a company property belonging to the younger brother of former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, sparking condemnation from political figures and activists.
The demolition, which took place in the Ikeja area of Lagos, has been described as "unlawful" by Peter Obi, who expressed his dismay in a statement released on Tuesday.
Political Reactions to the Demolition
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the 2023 Lagos State governorship election under the Labour Party, condemned the action in strong terms, describing it as a "total shame" that should be condemned by all.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Rhodes-Vivour stated: "I am deeply saddened by this level of lawlessness and recklessness, a notorious pattern of irresponsibility that has now been normalized by the parasitic culture of the ruling party."
He further argued that such actions have contributed to Nigeria's economic challenges, saying, "Data at both the state and national levels show the steep price the Nigerian people have had to pay for the APC's reckless disregard for the rule of law and due process. The cost has been an exit of multinationals and a drought in the inflow of foreign direct investments."
Rhodes-Vivour added that the consequence has been job losses and one of the highest poverty rates in the world, criticizing the state's governance as being in the hands of "juvenile and myopic politicians who are preoccupied with only that which they can extract from the system."
Questions Over Due Process
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju also questioned the demolition, particularly the manner in which it was carried out. On his Facebook page, he wrote: "Where are we heading in this country? Why was Peter Obi's brother's property demolished in Lagos? And he was not allowed to remove his property. What kind of politics is this, for God's sake?"
According to BenriNews, the property was pulled down without allowing the owner to remove his belongings, raising concerns about the adherence to due process and respect for property rights.
The demolition comes amid ongoing tensions between political factions in the country, with some observers suggesting it may have political undertones given Peter Obi's prominence as an opposition figure in Nigerian politics.
As of the time of reporting, the Lagos State Government has not issued an official statement regarding the reasons for the demolition or responding to the allegations of political victimization.
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