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Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as the growing climate of lawlessness in Nigeria after the sudden and unauthorized demolition of his brother’s company property in Ikeja, Lagos.

Obi, who has been a vocal critic of government inaction, human rights abuses, and administrative impunity in the country, said he became a personal victim of the same systemic recklessness he has repeatedly decried.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, when a demolition team, acting on what has been described as a dubious court order, descended on the property without prior notice or any proper legal authorization.

“A Case of Coordinated Lawlessness”

In a detailed statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi narrated how he was alerted early Tuesday morning by his youngest brother, who had just arrived from Port Harcourt only to find their family property being demolished by unknown agents.

“This morning, my youngest brother called me frantically, informing me that a group of people had invaded his company property in Ikeja, Lagos, and were demolishing the building,” Obi wrote.

According to him, the security men at the site denied his brother access to the premises and stated that the demolition had actually begun over the weekend.

Rushing from Abuja to Lagos, Obi said he arrived at the scene only to meet more resistance. “On arrival, I was met by security people who tried to bar me from entering the property,” he said. “I humbly pleaded with them that the property belonged to my brother’s company, which has owned the property for over a decade.”

Obi recounted how he demanded to see a court judgment or demolition order authorizing the action. Shockingly, what was presented was a vague court ruling allegedly against “an unknown person and squatters,” with no specific names or parties served.

“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case? No one was served. No name was written. Yet they showed up with excavators and began destroying a structure that had stood for over 15 years,” Obi lamented.

Demolition Without Authorization or Identification

Perhaps most disturbing, Obi said, was that the demolition team could not even identify who had contracted them.

“I immediately asked the excavators for the person who had sent them, and they said they didn’t know anyone but were only informed to come and demolish the house. The contractor even said he didn’t know who sent him,” he added.

For nearly four hours, Obi stood on the premises waiting for someone in authority to reach out to him or present any lawful documentation. “Nobody called or came,” he said. Two individuals later suggested a visit to a police station, but still failed to produce any valid demolition permit or order.

“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity. Our country has become lawless,” Obi said.

Broader Implications for Investment and National Image

Obi drew parallels between this incident and the worsening investment climate in Nigeria. He referenced a recent conversation with an investor who, despite having a thriving market in Nigeria, chose to invest in neighboring Ghana, Senegal, and Benin Republic due to Nigeria’s perceived lawlessness.

“The investor told me, ‘Nigeria is a lawless country. Until we have laws that protect people, nobody will invest in Nigeria.’ His words are now ringing louder in my ears,” Obi stated.

Reflecting on his own experiences since contesting the 2023 presidential elections, Obi said he has suffered personal violations of his rights, adding, “I imagine what small business owners, regular citizens, and vulnerable communities face daily.”

A Call for National Rebirth

In his concluding remarks, Obi reiterated his commitment to building “a new Nigeria” anchored on the rule of law, human rights, and investor confidence.

“I remain committed to a better Nigeria where lawlessness will be a thing of the past, protection of life and property, respect for human rights, care for the less privileged, and basic education for all children. A New Nigeria is POssible,” Obi declared.

The People’s Movement for a New Republic (POMR), through its spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar, who issued the statement, called on relevant authorities to investigate the demolition and bring those responsible to book.

As of press time, the Lagos State Government and law enforcement agencies had yet to release an official statement addressing the demolition incident.

StreetReporters.ng

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