Obi, Abaribe, Umeh, Akobondu, Nwoye, others storm Lagos over Trade Fair demolition
By Ishaya Ibrahim
A team of lawmakers, including Eyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Austin Akobundu and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, stormed Lagos over the demolition of business structures at the Trade Fair complex.
Also in the delegation is Lagos governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and many other politicians.
The demolition has been faulted for lacking in transparency as the affected structures were said to have valid documents and building approvals.
In a statement after visiting the demolition site, Obi said it was a destructive economic decision.
The statement reads: “Today, alongside Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowunmi, George Adegeye, Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement Tanko Yunusa, we visited the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair in Lagos, where plazas were pulled down despite traders having obtained the requisite approvals.
“I must commend the traders for their remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such painful loss. I equally appreciate the Senators and the House of Representatives members who have pledged to investigate this matter thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to this unfortunate development, and most importantly, ensure that the situation does not occur in the future.
“Beyond this immediate case, I urge government at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice, especially at this difficult time. Many of the affected traders invested heavily – often through loans – in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy. To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.
“A society that seeks to make progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens. Incidents like this should have no place in a nation that aspires to fairness, stability, and shared prosperity.“
