Former Vice President and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday, visited the demolished ASPAMDA Market located within the Lagos Trade Fair Complex. He was accompanied by prominent political leaders, including Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), Tony Nwoye, as well as members of the House of Representatives. Also present were Labour Party’s Lagos State gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and Obidient Movement coordinator, Tanko Yunusa.
The visit followed the recent demolition of several plazas within the market despite reports that affected traders had secured all required approvals before setting up their businesses.
Obi, in a statement shared on his official X handle, sympathized with the traders over their heavy losses and praised them for maintaining calm in the face of such devastation.
> “I must commend the traders for their remarkable calm in the face of such painful loss,” he stated.
He further appreciated the lawmakers who pledged to thoroughly investigate the demolition and ensure accountability, stressing that such occurrences should not be repeated.
Calling for fairness and justice, Obi urged governments across all levels to act with humanity and a sense of responsibility. He emphasized that many of the traders had invested their life savings, often sourced from loans, to establish their businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economy.
He warned that demolishing legitimate investments without due process not only undermines justice but also weakens the nation’s economic growth.
> “A society that seeks 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,” Obi stressed.
The former Vice President concluded by reaffirming his vision for a new Nigeria, one rooted in justice, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ livelihoods as vital pillars for sustainable national development.
