AWKA 鈥 The Labour Party (LP) Cau-cus in the House of Repre-sentatives has condemned the controversial demolition of a property belonging to the family of the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, by suspected government agents in Lagos State, describing the development as deeply dis-turbing.
The caucus urged the La-gos State government, and the ruling All Progressives Con-gress (APC) administration to ensure that no harm comes to Mr. Peter Obi or his business interests, in the discharge of his role as a key opposition figure.
The demolition was report-edly carried out following a court order obtained under unclear circumstances. Nei-ther the property owners nor any other party was said to be aware of the order, as it was not issued in anyone鈥檚 name.
The LP House of Represen-tatives members condemned the apparent misuse of the judiciary, stating that it under-mines democratic principles and has no place in a civilised society. They noted that the act sends a disturbing signal: if a prominent figure can be treated with such lawlessness, ordinary citizens who are sup-posed to be protected by the law are even more vulnerable.
Speaking through their leader, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, who issued a state-ment in Awka, Anambra State, he noted that the devel-opment aligns with the recent alarm raised by Obi about a covert attack on him and his businesses, on account of his courage in contesting the last presidential election and consistency in highlighting the nation鈥檚 widespread hard-ship and increasing level of insecurity.
Hon. Ogene stressed that partisan politics shouldn鈥檛 breed anguish, pain, or sor-row to anyone.
He emphasised that pol-itics should be free from bitterness and actions that harm others physically, eco-nomically, or psychologically, particularly when the goal is to serve the people鈥檚 interests.
He added: 鈥淥ur leader and candidate is a staunch demo-crat, consistently advocating for transparency, integrity, and nation-building globally. His actions on national issues have been guided by robust patriotism and a commitment to peace.
鈥淧eter Obi鈥檚 unwavering empathy for the downtrod-den and suffering masses has earned him widespread admi-ration across ethnic, religious, and party lines.
鈥淭herefore, his and his family鈥檚 legitimate economic and social investments should be protected, just like those of every law-abiding citizen, and not ruined by undemocratic forces driven by partisan pol-itics and bitterness.鈥
Obi had in response to the incident said: 鈥淎ny society where lawlessness overrides the rule of law is not destined to be a haven for investors. Recent reports showing that Nigeria鈥檚 human rights indi-cators have worsened mere-ly highlight severe shortfalls in government protection for civil liberties, personal security, and basic living standards.
鈥淚 know what I have been going through as a person in abuse of my human rights just because I contested a presidential election which I have legitimate rights to do. So I imagine what small busi-ness owners, regular citizens, and vulnerable communities face every day. If this level of lawlessness can happen to someone with a registered company and legitimate means, what hope does the ordinary Nigerian have?鈥