The Lagos State government denied having any official knowledge of the demolition of Peter Obi’s brother’s property in the state, while ordering a probe into the issue.
The development was revealed in a statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirming that neither the Lagos State Building Control Agency nor any registered Lagos State agencies were responsible for the demolition.
“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. We wish to categorically state that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) or any other arm of the Lagos State Government did not carry out the said demolition.” Gbenga Said
“Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, Special Adviser, eGIS & Urban Development, who supervises LASBCA, has confirmed that the agency was not involved in the demolition. We find it disturbing that Mr. Peter Obi would make such allegations without verifying the facts”, the statement added.
The former Anambra governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party appeared in a video lamenting that his brother, Ndibe Obi’s, property at Ikeja was demolished by the Lagos state government for unknown reasons. The video, which was aired by Arise TV, sparked outrage across the board on the reckless nature of property regulators in the Lagos space.
Lagos Demolition Antecedents
Unlawful house demolitions like the Obi’s property demolition in Lagos State have a history rooted in rapid urbanisation, lax regulation, and land disputes. Since the 1980s, cases like the 1989 Maroko demolition, which displaced 300,000 people, have set a precedent for forced evictions without due process, often to favour elite real estate interests.
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Recent incidents, such as the 2025 Ilaje-Otumara demolition affecting over 10,000 residents, highlight ongoing issues, with accusations of inadequate notice and defiance of court orders. The 2023 Lekki and Ajao Estate demolitions targeted structures on drainage channels and unapproved lands, often citing safety or urban planning.
However, residents and advocates, including Peter Obi in the 2025 Ikeja case involving his brother’s property, allege political motives and a lack of transparency. South eastners in Lagos state have often alleged that such demolitions are products of malice by Lagos state agencies and allies.
The Ndibe Obi property demolition adds another score to the mounting allegations on the opaque nature of the real estate sector in Lagos.
