Peter Obi to Lagos Govt: Temper Law with Compassion Over Trade Fair Demolition

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Lagos State Government to show compassion in its enforcement of demolition exercises, warning that legality should never override humanity.

Obi made the appeal on Tuesday following his visit to the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex, where several traders recently lost their shops and goods worth billions of naira.

Describing the situation as “a test of justice, compassion, and moral governance,” the former Anambra governor argued that being legally correct does not equate to being morally right.

“Those seeking to justify the demolitions in Aspamda Market and similar incidents across Nigeria must remember that the law is not an end in itself; it is meant to protect peace, order, and human dignity,” Obi said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He urged governments to consider less destructive remedies rather than inflicting “undeserved pain” on citizens struggling to make a living.

Obi recalled a personal experience abroad, noting that in societies governed by justice, authorities prioritise dialogue and legal remedies over demolitions.

“Even if, for the sake of argument, some of the affected traders failed to obtain proper approvals — which is unlikely — was demolition the only option?” he questioned. “Does it serve justice to destroy livelihoods when regularisation could have been pursued?”

The Lagos State Government, through its Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, had earlier defended the demolitions as constitutional, explaining that the affected traders were given multiple extensions to regularise their documents under an amnesty programme.

Omotoso criticised Obi’s comments as “emotional theatrics,” insisting the government acted within the law.

Obi, however, maintained that governance must balance lawful enforcement with empathy, warning that the law “ceases to serve justice” when it becomes an instrument of human suffering.

SEO Keywords: Peter Obi, Trade Fair demolition, Lagos State Government, ASPAMDA Market, Gbenga Omotoso, Labour Party, Nigeria demolition, human compassion, justice in governance