Lagos Government Denies Demolishing Peter Obi’s Brother’s Property, Calls Allegation “Misleading”

 

In a development that has generated political controversy and public outcry, the Lagos State Government has denied any involvement in the demolition of a property reportedly owned by the brother of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. The property, located in Ikeja, Lagos, was allegedly pulled down without due process — a claim the state government strongly refutes.

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and one of the major contenders in the 2023 presidential election, took to social media and public channels to express outrage over the demolition. He described the act as unjust and unlawful, insisting that no court order was obtained prior to the destruction of the building. According to Obi, his brother was not even allowed to retrieve his personal belongings from the premises before the demolition took place.

Peter Obi Speaks Out Over Demolition in Ikeja

Peter Obi’s reaction to the demolition of his brother’s property was swift and emotional. In a public statement released on Monday, June 23, 2025, the Labour Party chieftain condemned the demolition and described it as a politically motivated act intended to intimidate his family.

Obi said, “The property was brought down without any legal notice, no court injunction, and without giving my brother the opportunity to pick up his personal effects. This kind of lawlessness should not be happening in a democratic society.”

The claims sparked immediate reactions from supporters and members of the opposition, many of whom saw it as a targeted act of harassment against a high-profile figure in Nigerian politics. The development has been trending on social media, with hashtags like #ObiDemolition and #LagosPropertySaga dominating Nigerian Twitter (X) for days.

Lagos State Government Denies Allegation: “Unverified and Misleading”

However, in response to the allegations, the Lagos State Government issued a formal statement denying any role in the demolition. Speaking on behalf of the state, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, categorically stated that no agency under the Lagos State Government—including the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)—carried out the demolition exercise.

“The Lagos State Government is compelled to address the recent allegations made by Mr. Peter Obi regarding the demolition of a property belonging to his brother,” the statement read.

“We wish to categorically state that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) or any other agency of the Lagos State Government did not carry out the said demolition.”

Omotoso emphasized that such serious allegations, especially coming from a prominent national figure like Peter Obi, should be based on verified facts. He called the claims “disturbing” and “misleading,” particularly considering the sensitive political atmosphere in the state.

He added:

“We find it disturbing that Mr. Peter Obi would make such allegations without verifying the facts, especially given the proximity of the local government elections.”

LASBCA Denies Involvement

To further clarify the position of the Lagos State Government, Omotoso noted that the Special Adviser on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, had confirmed that LASBCA was not involved in the demolition of the building in question.

According to Dr. Babatunde, the agency has a defined procedure for demolitions and always acts in accordance with the law. He reiterated that LASBCA maintains detailed records of every demolition activity it undertakes, and there was no documentation of the Ikeja property in the agency’s files.

This suggests that if a demolition occurred, it might have been carried out by private individuals or unauthorized agents — a claim yet to be confirmed.

Government Orders Full-Scale Investigation

In a move aimed at showing transparency and accountability, the Lagos State Government announced that it has launched a full investigation into the matter. According to Omotoso, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahun Owodunni Oki, has been directed to lead the investigation through LASBCA.

“The investigation will help clarify the circumstances surrounding the demolition and ensure that any necessary actions are taken,” Omotoso said.

The Lagos State Government assured the public that any individual or group found guilty of unauthorized demolition or abuse of power would be held accountable under the law. This, according to Omotoso, is in line with the government’s commitment to the rule of law and justice for all Lagosians, regardless of political affiliation or status.

Political Implications of the Allegation

This incident comes at a politically sensitive time in Lagos State, with local government elections on the horizon. Many political observers believe that Peter Obi’s allegations—whether accurate or not—could influence voter sentiment, especially among supporters of the Labour Party who already feel marginalized in Lagos.

It should be recalled that during the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party made significant inroads into Lagos, challenging the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has long held sway in the state. Any hint of political victimization could reignite tensions and deepen existing divisions between political camps.

Political analyst Ayodele Olamide told NaijaRush:

“If Peter Obi’s claims turn out to be true, it would raise serious questions about the misuse of state machinery against opposition figures. But even if proven false, the damage may already be done in the court of public opinion.”

Calls for Transparency and Justice

The public is now watching closely to see how the investigation unfolds. Civil society organizations and legal experts have called for the Lagos State Government to make the findings of the investigation public. They argue that this is necessary to ensure transparency and restore public trust.

Human rights lawyer, Barr. Ifeoma Okonkwo, stated:

“The government must come clean with whatever the investigation reveals. If the demolition was illegal, those responsible should be prosecuted. If not, then Peter Obi must be asked to issue a public apology to avoid discrediting government institutions.”

Final Thoughts: What’s Next?

The Lagos demolition saga involving Peter Obi’s brother is more than just a land dispute — it’s a politically charged issue with far-reaching implications. The swift denial by the state government and the announcement of an official investigation show that the matter is being taken seriously. However, what the public really wants is clarity.

Was the demolition legal? If not done by LASBCA or any official agency, who authorized it? Was it a case of mistaken identity, vendetta, or outright abuse of power?

For now, both sides have made their claims. The responsibility now lies with the Lagos State Government to back its denial with evidence, and for Peter Obi to cooperate with investigators if the truth is to come to light.

NaijaRush will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as new information emerges.