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The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Lagos State government to balance enforcement with compassion in its demolition of structures.
He stated that being legally correct does not equate to being morally right.
This statement follows his visit to the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair Complex, where he criticized the destruction of traders’ plazas, describing it as a measure of the state’s dedication to justice and human dignity.
Last week, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, remarked that Obi engaged in emotional theatrics when he characterized the incident as “a test of impunity, justice, and compassion.”
The Commissioner defended the demolition as constitutional, emphasizing that the affected traders were given sufficient time to regularize their documents during a general amnesty declared by the state government last year, which was extended multiple times.
In a statement on his X account on Tuesday, Obi cautioned that the law should never be applied in a manner that causes “undeserved pain” or undermines livelihoods when alternative, less destructive solutions are available.
Obi shared a personal experience from abroad to illustrate his perspective, asserting that governments should seek formal legal remedies rather than resorting to demolitions of homes or businesses overnight.
“Those justifying the current demolitions at Aspamda Market in Lagos and similar cases across Nigeria must remember that the law is not an end in itself; it is a tool to maintain order, peace, and safeguard human dignity.
“When the law becomes a means to inflict unnecessary suffering—enforced without empathy or consideration for human welfare—it fails to achieve justice.
“Even if, for the sake of argument, some of the affected traders did not secure the necessary approvals, which seems unlikely, was demolition the only solution? If opportunities for regularization genuinely existed, as some have claimed, why were they not pursued?
“Does it truly serve justice to annihilate billions of naira worth of investments and livelihoods when less destructive alternatives could have been utilized?” he questioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Peter Obi's main message regarding the demolitions?
Peter Obi emphasized the need for the Lagos State government to enforce laws with compassion, arguing that legal correctness should not override moral considerations.
How did the Lagos State government respond to Obi's criticism?
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that Obi's remarks were emotionally charged and defended the demolitions as constitutional, highlighting that affected traders had ample time to regularize their documents.
