BY TONY OKAFOR
The recent demolition of Mr Ndibe Obi’s property in Lagos has rightly sparked national outrage.
That the victim is the brother of Mr. Peter Obi—former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate—only heightens public curiosity.
But regardless of who the victim is, the act reeks of impunity, lawlessness, and a blatant disregard for democratic norms.
What is even more troubling is the bizarre chorus of denials from the Lagos State Government and its relevant agencies. From the Ministry of Physical Planning to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), each has washed its hands Pontius Pilate-style.
Not one agency has taken responsibility. Yet, a structure was razed. Fences torn down. Property violated. Who did it? Was it a ghost?
This editorial is not only a demand for accountability—it is an alarm over a dangerous trend: when state actors, or those operating under state protection, carry out demolitions without due process, without notice, and without consequence, the rule of law gives way to tyranny.
In a democracy, you do not wake up to the roar of bulldozers at your doorstep—without a court order, without prior notice, and without any legal remedy. And when such destruction happens, the response from government cannot be silence or cynical denials.
The Lagos State Government must understand that governance is not just about power—it is about responsibility. Transparency is non-negotiable.
If a government agency ordered the demolition, let the public know. If it was an error, offer an apology and compensation. If it was legally justified, produce the documents and the evidence.
But do not insult the intelligence of Nigerians by pretending nothing happened—when the rubble is there for all to see.
The political undertone cannot be ignored. Peter Obi remains a formidable political figure. To target his family’s property—without clear explanation—inevitably fuels suspicions of political vendetta. Lagos State must tread carefully to avoid inflaming ethnic or political tensions through acts of selective injustice.
This is a moment for the Governor of Lagos State to show leadership. Investigate the demolition. Identify who ordered it. Tell Nigerians why it happened—and on what legal basis. Because if no agency did it, then Lagos is no longer a state governed by law, but a territory haunted by ghosts with bulldozers.
We must ask again: who demolished Citizen Ndibe Obi’s property? A government agency? A political thug? A hired vandal? Or has Lagos become a place where phantoms carry out demolitions?
This editorial demands answers—now.
