Peter Obi Condemns Demolition of Brother’s Property, Calls Nigeria a ‘Lawless State’ Under Tinubu

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over what he termed Nigeria’s descent into lawlessness, following the demolition of his younger brother’s company property in Ikeja, Lagos.

In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi decried the demolition as a blatant act of impunity and a reflection of the country’s deteriorating respect for the rule of law.

He warned that such incidents pose serious threats to Nigeria’s economy and societal stability.

Obi revealed that his brother had returned from Port Harcourt to discover that his property was being demolished without prior notice or legal backing. Security personnel reportedly denied him access, claiming the demolition had started over the weekend.

Upon hearing the news, Obi rushed from Abuja to Lagos and found the site guarded by security agents.

When he asked to see a court order or demolition permit, none was provided. The alleged court judgment was against “unknown persons and squatters,” with no direct connection to his brother’s company, which had legally owned the property for over 10 years.

“How can a court issue a judgment against unnamed persons and authorize demolition of a legally owned property?” Obi questioned. “There was no official demolition order, and even the contractor on-site claimed not to know who gave the directive.”

Obi described the situation as “coordinated lawlessness” and said he stood at the site for four hours waiting for someone to take responsibility — but no one did.

Reflecting on a recent conversation, Obi recalled a businessman who avoided investing in Nigeria despite a large customer base, citing the country’s lawlessness as the reason. “This confirms the fears of many investors that Nigeria lacks legal protections and stability,” Obi lamented.

He also noted how his own rights had been violated since contesting the 2023 election and expressed concern for the struggles of ordinary citizens and small businesses facing similar or worse injustices.

“I am still shocked,” Obi said. “How did we get here? What kind of nation are we building if citizens’ rights and properties can be violated without consequence?”

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to a law-abiding and just Nigeria, where citizens are protected and the rule of law is respected.