The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has described the demolition of plazas at the ASPAMDA Market in Lagos Trade Fair as “economically destructive” and “unjust.”
Obi, who visited the site on Tuesday, was accompanied by Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, members of the House of Representatives, George Adegeye, Labour Party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa.
The former Anambra governor said traders had obtained the necessary approvals before their investments were pulled down.
He stated: “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.”
He urged the government to act with “compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice,” stressing that most of the affected traders relied on loans to fund their businesses.
“To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive,” he said.
Obi added that a society that aspires to progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
