Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the demolition of shops and private properties by government authorities across various parts of the country, describing the actions as “unjustifiable,” “inhumane,” and emblematic of a governance approach that lacks empathy in a time of deepening economic hardship.
In a statement issued Monday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the former Anambra State governor condemned what he termed the “willful destruction” of citizens’ livelihoods without due notice or adherence to legal process. Obi warned that such actions not only violate the rights of affected individuals but also threaten Nigeria’s broader economic and social stability.
“The recent demolition of citizens’ structures and the destruction of their goods and merchandise remain condemnable,” he stated. “At a time when the government is supposed to be lifting citizens out of poverty, it is instead plunging them deeper into hardship.”
Obi noted that many of the demolished shops and buildings housed merchandise and assets worth billions of naira, representing years of toil, entrepreneurship, and life savings for countless Nigerians. He questioned the rationale behind such demolitions, asking whether they serve any genuine public interest or merely reflect “arbitrary and disproportionate exercises of power.”
Without mincing words, Obi placed responsibility on the current administration’s leadership approach, arguing that within just 29 months, the government has exacerbated poverty and insecurity, instead of alleviating them. “These demolitions destroy livelihoods, undermine businesses, and threaten the economic security of hardworking citizens,” he said.
He urged government officials at all levels to adopt policies guided by empathy, rule of law, and long-term economic thinking, rather than reactive enforcement actions that displace vulnerable populations. “Every citizen has the right to build a life through honest work, and that right must never be trampled,” he wrote.
Obi further cautioned that such actions send damaging signals to both local and international investors, who may perceive Nigeria as an unpredictable environment where property rights are not guaranteed. “If we fail to stand against such injustices, we risk undermining the very foundations of economic growth and social stability,” he concluded.
The remarks come amid growing public outcry over widespread demolitions in major cities, often linked to urban renewal or land disputes, but which critics argue are carried out without transparency, adequate compensation, or proper legal procedures.
