Peter Obi Linked to Trade Fair Complex, Senator Umeh Defends Visit After Lagos Demolition

Senator Victor Umeh has defended Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s visit to the site of demolished buildings at Lagos’ Trade Fair Complex, revealing that Obi is one of the developers of the facility.

Umeh, who was among lawmakers from the South-East who inspected the site after the Lagos State Government’s demolition, criticized the state for allegedly acting illegally and destroying shops and buildings belonging to business owners.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, the senator said the demolition violated the rights of traders.

“People are doing their lawful businesses, and you moved in with machines to bring their buildings down, destroy their shops with the goods in them. And it was shown on television. Everybody saw it,” Umeh said.

He added that the majority of those affected by the demolition were of Igbo origin, emphasizing that they could not be left without representation.

“Over 70% of the people in that place are our people, and you cannot go and bully them, intimidate them, and abandon them,” he stated.

Responding to claims that Obi’s visit was provocative, Umeh noted Obi’s personal ties to the Trade Fair Complex, saying he is one of its developers.

“Mr. Peter Obi is one of the developers of that complex, if you don’t know. He has a plaza there with over 200 shops since 1995, and he’s a patron of the place. All the associations there regard him as their patron,” the senator said.

Umeh explained that Obi’s visit was in response to distress calls from those affected by what he described as unlawful government action.

“He cannot see that people he’s associated with are being dealt with against the provisions of the law and keep quiet,” Umeh added.

“If the land belongs to the Lagos State Government, yes, the place to go would be to interface with agents of the government — but they don’t own the land. They acted illegally.”