The former Governor of Anambra State and the candidate of Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has decried the demolition of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) Market, popularly known as Lagos Trade Fair, a market ultimately dominated by Igbos.
Peter Obi had visited the demolished site along with Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, and Tony Nwoye.
Other in the entourage were Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowonmi, George Adegeye.
The rest were Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Mr. Tanko Yunusa.
Taking to his “X”, formerly Twitter, handle “@PeterObi” after the visit, Mr. Obi described the demolition of the market as a “Test of Impunity, Justice, Compassion”.
In the tweet entitled “The Lagos Trade Fair Demolition: A Test of Impunity, Justice and Compassion“, the former Anambra State Governor regretted “the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair in Lagos, where plazas were pulled down despite traders having obtained the requisite approvals”.
He commended the traders for showing remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such provocation.
The former presidential candidate tweeted:
“Today, alongside Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowonmi, George Adegeye, Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement Tanko Yunusa, we visited the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair in Lagos, where plazas were pulled down despite traders having obtained the requisite approvals.
“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.
“Beyond this immediate case, I urge government at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice, especially at this difficult time.
“Many of the affected traders invested heavily – often through loans – in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy.
“To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.
“A society that seeks to make 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.”
He concluded with his signature “A new Nigeria is POssible”.
More details about the demolition in subsequent bulletins…