Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned the recent demolition of over 19 shopping plazas at Aspamda Market within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, describing it as a disproportionate punishment and a blow to the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
Obi made the statement after visiting the affected site in Ojo, Lagos, where goods worth billions of naira were reportedly lost in the September 25 demolition exercise.
“This demolition is not just about structures; it’s about people’s livelihoods,” Obi wrote on social media. “Governance must balance law with compassion. A government should not pride itself on being legally correct if, in the process, it becomes morally wrong.”
The demolitions, carried out by Lagos State authorities, targeted what officials described as illegal structures—buildings allegedly erected without approval and obstructing drainage channels, which the state government says contribute to recurring urban flooding.
However, Obi, flanked by Labour Party leaders including Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh, described the operation as an act of economic injustice, arguing that traders were not adequately consulted or given time to adjust.
“To destroy legitimate investments without due process is unjust and destructive,” Obi stated, adding that he would advocate for a parliamentary inquiry into the incident.
The Lagos State Government, in its defense, accused Obi of politicising the issue. Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, said the structures were marked well in advance, and that alternative relocation options had been communicated to the affected business owners.
“No government takes pleasure in demolitions, but rules must be followed,” Omotoso said. “Mr. Obi is spreading misinformation. This exercise was necessary to protect public infrastructure and safety.”
While reactions remain mixed, the demolitions have reignited debates about urban planning, enforcement, and the rights of informal sector players in Nigeria’s commercial capital. Many affected traders, some of whom have operated in the area for decades, say they were blindsided by the action and are now left without a means of livelihood.
Obi urged authorities to adopt a more human-centered approach to governance, particularly in a country already grappling with economic hardship.
“This is not the time to deepen poverty and despair. The market men and women we destroy today are the engine of our informal economy. They deserve protection, not punishment,” he said.
