Peter Obi decries lawlessness after alleged demolition of brother’s property

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised the alarm over what he described as a growing culture of impunity in Nigeria, following the demolition of a building owned by his younger brother’s company in Ikeja, Lagos.

In a statement shared on social media Tuesday, Obi said he was alerted in the morning by his brother, who returned from Port Harcourt to discover that the company’s property was being pulled down by unknown agents. According to him, security personnel stationed at the site claimed they were acting on a court judgment, but failed to present any demolition order or official documentation.

“I rushed to Lagos from Abuja after the call this morning and headed straight to the property. On arrival, I was met by security people who tried to bar me from entering,” Obi said. “They claimed there was a court judgment, but it was issued against an unknown person and squatters. No one was served, no names were mentioned, and there was no demolition permit.”

Obi described the situation as “coordinated lawlessness,” stating that neither the contractor nor the men on-site could identify who authorized the demolition. Despite waiting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., he said no one contacted him, even after he offered to speak directly with whoever issued the order.

“This is not just about my family,” Obi wrote. “If such impunity can happen to someone with legitimate businesses and documentation, what hope does the average Nigerian have?”

The former Anambra governor further linked the incident to the broader issue of human rights violations in the country, suggesting that Nigeria’s worsening global human rights rankings reflect a deep governance crisis.

Obi, who ran for president under the Labour Party in 2023, said the demolition was emblematic of a wider problem that discourages investors and erodes public trust.

“I met a businessman over the weekend who said he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and Benin Republic but won’t invest in Nigeria. When I asked why, he said, ‘Nigeria is lawless. Until there are laws that protect people, nobody will invest,’” Obi recalled.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to building “a new Nigeria where lawlessness will be a thing of the past.”

“As a nation, we must protect life and property, uphold the rule of law, and defend human rights. A new Nigeria is POssible,” he said.