The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi has cautioned government at all levels to stop the incessant demolition of property across the country.
In a post made on X on Monday, Obi condemned in strong terms the willful destruction of people’s property, and goods by governments at all levels without prior notice.
Obi’s statement comes shortly after the Lagos State government began demolition of various properties across the state.
According to Obi, any government whose policies have thrown millions of Nigerians into poverty should make efforts to show compassion for its citizens.
Accusing the present administration of consistently plunging citizens deeper into hardship, Obi said the ongoing destruction of property has destroyed livelihoods, undermined businesses, and threatened the economic security of hardworking citizens.
He said the majority of the properties demolished contained goods worth billions of Naira, representing years of investment and toil.
He also queried the legal backing which justifies these demolitions, while stating that he has yet to figure out how these actions are genuinely in the interest of the public.
“Citizens deserve protection for their investments, livelihoods, and dignity. The government must ensure that urban development and enforcement respect the rule of law and the rights of the people.
“Meanwhile, these acts of demolition send a chilling message to entrepreneurs across the nation and beyond: that their hard work and sacrifices can be wiped away overnight. 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,” Obi wrote on X.