The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the demolition of plazas at the trade fair complex in Ojo LGA, Lagos state.
The demolition was carried out by officials from the Lagos Ministry of Physical Planning, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.
In a post on Tuesday, Obi, who visited the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the market alongside several lawmakers, including Enyinnaya Abaribe (senator representing Abia South) and Victor Umeh (senator representing Anambra Central), said the plazas were demolished despite having valid approvals.
“I must commend the traders for their remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such painful loss,” he wrote.
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Obi added that some senators and members of the House of Representatives have promised to investigate the incident “thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to this unfortunate development” to prevent a recurrence.
“Beyond this immediate case, I urge government at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice, especially at this difficult time,” he said.
“Many of the affected traders invested heavily — often through loans — in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy.
“To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.”
He stressed that any society seeking progress must protect enterprise, promote productivity, and uphold the dignity of its citizens.
“Incidents like this should have no place in a nation that aspires to fairness, stability, and shared prosperity,” the former Anambra governor added.
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