Peter Obi: Demolishing Properties Without Notice Is Unjust

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the practice of demolishing citizens’ homes and properties without prior notice, describing it as “unjust” and a violation of fundamental human rights.

Speaking during a public engagement on Monday, Obi expressed deep concern over recent reports of forced evictions and property demolitions carried out by various state and local authorities across Nigeria, often without due process or adequate warning to affected residents.

“When government agencies destroy people’s homes in the dead of night or without giving them a chance to retrieve their belongings, that is not just poor governance; it is deeply unjust,” Obi stated. “No citizen should live in fear that their shelter, built through years of hard work, can be erased in minutes by bulldozers acting on orders devoid of empathy or legality.”

While Obi did not name specific states or incidents, his remarks come amid growing public outcry over demolitions in parts of Lagos, Abuja, and other urban centers, where authorities have cited urban planning, environmental protection, or illegal occupation as justification. Critics, however, argue that many of these actions lack transparency, fail to follow court orders, and disproportionately affect low-income communities.

Obi emphasized that the right to adequate housing is recognized under international human rights law and is implicitly protected by Section 43 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to own property. He stressed that even when demolitions are deemed necessary, for public infrastructure or safety, they must be conducted with proper notice, fair compensation, and alternative relocation plans.

“Urban development should never come at the cost of human dignity,” he said. “You cannot claim to be building a modern city while rendering families homeless overnight with no recourse. That is not progress is displacement disguised as policy.”

The former governor called on judicial bodies to uphold the rule of law and on civil society organizations to amplify the voices of affected communities. He also urged fellow political leaders to prioritize humane and inclusive approaches to city planning.

Obi’s statement aligns with longstanding concerns raised by human rights groups such as Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which have repeatedly documented cases of forced evictions in Nigeria and called for legislative reforms to protect vulnerable residents.

As Nigeria continues to urbanize rapidly, Obi warned that without accountable governance and respect for citizens’ rights, such demolitions risk deepening inequality and eroding public trust in state institutions.

“Justice isn’t just about courts and laws,” he concluded. “It’s about how we treat the ordinary person—the market trader, the civil servant, the artisan who simply wants a roof over their head. That roof should never be taken away without warning, without reason, and without remedy.”