Peter Obi faults demolitions of citizens’ property without prior notice

The Labour Party's presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has denounced the destruction of citizens' properties and livelihoods by government officials without prior notification.

In a statement released through his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi described the recent demolitions of shops, buildings, and other structures in various regions of the country as "unjustifiable" and "inhumane," particularly during a period when millions of Nigerians are facing escalating economic difficulties.

He stated, "I reiterate my strong condemnation of the willful destruction of people’s property and goods by governments at any level without notice. The recent demolition of citizens’ structures and the destruction of their goods and merchandise remain condemnable."

The former Governor of Anambra State criticized the administration’s methods, asserting that it has already driven millions of Nigerians into poverty within just 29 months of governance.

He called on leaders to demonstrate empathy instead of exacerbating the hardships faced by citizens.

He wrote, "At a time when the government is supposed to be lifting citizens out of poverty, it is instead plunging them deeper into hardship.
“These demolitions destroy livelihoods, undermine businesses, and threaten the economic security of hardworking citizens.”

He expressed sorrow that numerous affected shops and buildings housed goods valued at billions of naira, symbolizing "years of investment and hard work," and emphasized that there is no legal basis for the destruction of private property without due process or prior notification.

Obi raised concerns about whether these demolitions truly serve the public interest or if they are simply "arbitrary and disproportionate displays of authority."

He cautioned that such demolitions convey a detrimental message to both local and international entrepreneurs and investors, suggesting that their diligent efforts could be erased in an instant.

“If we fail to stand against such injustices, we risk undermining the very foundations of economic growth and social stability.

“Every citizen has the right to build a life through honest work, and that right must never be trampled,” he stated.