Peter Obi, Abaribe Visit Lagos Trade Fair, Condole Traders Over Demolitions

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday, September 30, visited the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex in Ojo to commiserate with traders whose shops and plazas were recently demolished.

Obi, who was joined by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and other political leaders, was received by a large crowd of distressed traders and youths at the site. The visit came days after a controversial demolition exercise in which at least 19 buildings were pulled down, leaving thousands of traders counting their losses. Goods and investments worth billions of naira were reportedly destroyed.

The affected traders have staged protests, insisting that their structures had been duly approved by the Federal Government through the Trade Fair Management Board. Many accused the Lagos State government of unfair treatment, alleging discrimination in the demolition exercise.

Writing later on X, Obi described the demolitions as “a test of impunity, justice and compassion,” stressing that many traders had invested heavily, often through loans, to secure their livelihoods. He commended the calmness of the traders despite their losses and said lawmakers who visited the site with him had pledged to investigate the incident thoroughly.

Obi urged government authorities to act with fairness and compassion, warning that destroying legitimate businesses without due process was both unjust and economically harmful. He said protecting enterprise and defending citizens’ dignity was crucial for Nigeria’s progress, adding that incidents of this nature should have no place in a country striving for fairness and stability.

“A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi concluded.