Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has raised alarm over the alleged illegal demolition of a property owned by his younger brother’s company in Ikeja, Lagos, a structure he said had stood for more than 15 years.
In a strongly worded statement posted Tuesday on his verified X account, Obi claimed that the demolition was executed without legal authority, court orders, or proper identification of the affected parties.
According to Obi, his brother was returning from Port Harcourt when he was denied entry into the premises by security personnel who informed him that a demolition was underway. In response, Obi flew into Lagos from Abuja to assess the situation himself.
“I stood there from 10 am to 2 pm, waiting to get a call from whoever ordered the demolition. Nobody came. The contractor didn’t even know who sent him,” Obi stated. “This entire episode screamed coordinated lawlessness and impunity.”
He further alleged that the demolition was based on a vague and “ridiculous” court judgment that referenced unnamed squatters, contained no specific mention of the property, and did not include a formal demolition order.
“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case?” Obi asked. “No one was served. No name was written. Yet they showed up with excavators and began destroying a structure.”
Obi emphasized that the issue goes beyond his personal experience, describing it as symbolic of the institutional breakdown affecting everyday Nigerians and investors alike. He recalled a recent interaction with an investor who declined to do business in Nigeria due to concerns over legal and property insecurity.
“This is not about me or my brother,” Obi said. “It’s about what ordinary Nigerians go through every day. If this can happen to someone with a registered company and legitimate ownership, what hope does the average citizen have?”
The former Anambra State governor said he remains committed to the idea of a “New Nigeria” one built on the rule of law, respect for property rights, and protection of civil liberties.
As of press time, no Lagos State government agency had claimed responsibility for the demolition, and no official explanation has been issued.
