Cynthia Ezegwu
former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has appealed to the Lagos State Government to exercise compassion in the ongoing demolition of structures across the state, saying that being “legally correct” should not override moral responsibility.
Obi made the appeal in a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, following the recent demolition of shops and plazas at the ASPAMDA Market within the Trade Fair Complex. He described the exercise as a test of the state’s commitment to justice and human dignity.
The former Anambra governor cautioned that the law must never be used to inflict “undeserved pain” or destroy livelihoods when less harmful solutions are available. “Even if, for the sake of argument, some of the affected traders failed to obtain the proper approvals, which is unlikely, was demolition the only option?” he asked.
READ ALSO: Lagos Govt Insists Trade Fair Demolition Was Lawful, Dismisses Criticism as Misguided
Obi likened the demolitions to a punishment “grossly disproportionate” to any alleged infraction, urging the government to prioritise human welfare and seek regularisation rather than destruction.
“My appeal is simple: governance must always balance law with compassion. A government should not pride itself on being legally correct if, in the process, it becomes morally wrong,” Obi stated.
He emphasised that true leadership is defined by empathy and how it treats the vulnerable, adding that “justice, to be just, must be tempered with mercy.”
The Lagos State Government had earlier defended the demolitions, insisting that all actions were backed by law and targeted at ensuring compliance with urban planning regulations.