Peter Obi Urges Federal and State Governments to Halt Demolition of Citizens’ Properties

Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has openly criticized the continuous demolition of private properties by various government agencies across Nigeria. Obi expressed deep concern over the devastating effects such actions have on ordinary citizens, particularly those already battling economic hardship and insecurity.

Speaking through a public statement, Peter Obi emphasized that the indiscriminate destruction of people’s hard-earned investments is not only insensitive but also counterproductive to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle for economic growth and stability. He noted that most affected individuals are business owners and residents who have invested their life savings into developing their homes, shops, and businesses—only to watch them being destroyed without adequate compensation or proper relocation plans.

The former Anambra State governor urged both the federal and state governments to show empathy by adopting humane and lawful approaches in addressing urban planning and property regulation issues. According to him, development should never come at the expense of citizens’ livelihoods and dignity.

Peter Obi stated that while governments have the responsibility to enforce urban development laws, it must be done in line with due process, fairness, and justice. He warned that demolitions carried out without alternative provisions only deepen poverty and unemployment, further crippling the economy.

He appealed to leaders at all levels to redirect their focus toward policies that promote housing, business growth, and infrastructure development rather than destroying what little progress citizens have made on their own. Obi called for collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and urban development experts to find lasting solutions that balance modernization with human welfare.

The Labour Party leader further urged that public officers consider the psychological and financial trauma faced by victims of demolitions, noting that many families are displaced, businesses ruined, and communities destabilized by such government actions.

Peter Obi reiterated his belief that governance should be people-centered, emphasizing that a nation cannot prosper when its citizens are rendered homeless or impoverished by the very institutions meant to protect them. He encouraged Nigerians to continue advocating for accountability and transparency from their leaders, ensuring that developmental policies are executed with compassion and foresight.