Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been slammed for challenging the Lagos State government and its demolition exercise at the Trade Fair Complex in the state.

MyNigeria reported that the Lagos State government carried out the demolition because the structures were illegal and without approval, adding that most of them were sighted along drainage and canal pathways.

However, Obi, who visited the scene of the demolition, claimed that the owners of the structures had obtained the requisite approvals.

Others on his entourage included Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowonmi, George Adegeye, Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa.

He also revealed that lawmakers will investigate the demolition by the Lagos State government, a statement that evoked anger from some social media users.

According to social media users, Obi also carried out a similar demolition during his eight-year tenure as governor of Anambra State.

They shared a video showing him addressing newsmen during one of such demolitions. According to a clip by Channels TV, Obi warned that any structure standing in the way of development in the state should make way.

He said, "We have to remove all structures on the road, as long as they are reconstructing the road. That's why we are even removing most of the structures on the express. Once we start the work, the structures must go."

Obi also made it clear that the state government would make no compensation for such demolition.

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, who shared the video, captioned it: "Watch Peter Obi demolish structures in Anambra and boast that he will pay no compensation. Today, he is attacking Lagos over the Trade Fair demolitions."

On X, @Montero1016 said, "How dare you invite fellow economic refugees to come challenge the decision taken by a Yoruba Governor in Yorubaland? Se ori e daru ni??? Awa la koba yin ni?

"We share ZERO historical & ancestral ties; We never even interacted before the amalgamation so on what grounds are you basing your grumblings on?

"Don't u have an ancestral space which u also lugubriously governed for 8 years? Isn't it shamefully shameless for a former Governor to come crying about business issues in another state when he had EIGHT years to generate huge business opportunities for his people?

"I genuinely wonder if ur supporters are at the initial or the final stage of chronic insanity to parade a disaster like you as a solution in ANY space inhabited by sane humans!"

@iamAhmadOlolu said, "Peter Obi is quick to politicise every unfortunate situation, yet offers no real solutions. Where was his 'compassion and fairness' when he demolished thousands of shops and structures during his time as governor of Anambra? Hypocrisy has no place in nation-building.

"If truly he cared about traders, he would stop using their pain as a campaign slogan and instead present practical, lawful solutions. Nigeria needs leaders who act with consistency, not those who preach justice only when it suits their politics.

"The Lagos Trade Fair issue deserves sober investigation, not opportunistic grandstanding. Obi should stop exploiting the struggles of hardworking Nigerians for cheap political mileage."

ASA