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Peter Obi Reacts to Recent demolition on Alaba market demolition by Lagos govt

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Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, has reacted to the recent demolition of some buildings at the Alaba International Market by the Lagos State Government.

Obi said although some of the demolitions might be excusable, they had left many victims, mostly ordinary people who he believed were either innocently ill-informed or misguided.

He said the primary duty of any government is to care for and protect its citizens.

In a statement issued via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor advised that “necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments, need not be punitive or unduly insensitive.”

Recall that the Lagos Government had on June 16 begun the removal of what it described as distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market located in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.

DAILY POST reports that the enforcement team of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA and the Lagos State Task Force embarked on the joint exercise.

Following the controversy that trailed the exercise, the government insisted that the exercise was a measure to prevent disaster.

However, Obi maintained that Nigerian citizens should not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship.

The statement read: “Recently, there have been reports of widespread government demolition of so-called ‘illegal’ structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error. We face a paradox: with a 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, some resort to self-help by building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores. Invariably, some of these structures were either not approved or were built with the tacit collusion or approval of the local authorities.

“While some of these ongoing demolitions may be excusable, they have nonetheless, left many victims, mostly ordinary people who erred innocently or were ill-informed or misguided. Necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments need not be punitive or unduly insensitive.

“There should always be room for compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action. I respectfully appeal to various governmental authorities to marry the need to enforce compliance with extant regulatory regimes, with consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion.

“In Nigeria, we live in a time of extreme difficulties for citizens because of stagnated income, spiralling inflation, huge unemployment escalating socio-economic costs and high costs of living.

“Nigerian citizens should therefore, not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. Moreover, the various concerned governments should consider paying compensation to those who have lost properties and livelihoods in these unfortunate demolitions to ameliorate their suffering. Such compensation should fall under the rubric of eminent domain that is applicable for properties and assets acquired or demolished in the public interest.

“It cannot ever be overemphasized that the primary duty of any government is the responsibility to care for and protect her citizens.”

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National grid collapses again

Distribution load figures released at 3:12 p.m. on December 29, 2025, showed that electricity supply to the country’s power distribution companies fell drastically, indicating a widespread system failure.

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The national electricity grid collapsed again this afternoon with power supply across most parts of the country dropping to near zero.

Distribution load figures released at 3:12 p.m. on December 29, 2025, showed that electricity supply to the country’s power distribution companies fell drastically, indicating a widespread system failure.

Data from the Distribution Companies (DisCos) revealed that only two operators received electricity at the time of the collapse. Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company recorded a load of 30 megawatts (MW), while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company received 20 MW.

All other DisCos were allocated zero megawatts. Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Yola electricity distribution companies all recorded 0 MW, pointing to a nationwide outage affecting major cities and regions.

In total, electricity distributed nationwide stood at just 50 MW, far below normal

normal operating levels and grossly insufficient to sustain power supply to homes, businesses and critical services across the country.

The latest incident adds to a series of grid collapses recorded in recent years, which have often resulted in nationwide blackouts and prolonged efforts to restore electricity supply.

The recurring failures have continued to raise concerns about the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the reliability of the national grid.

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Anthony Joshua’s accident caused by over speeding – FRSC

The FRSC Ogun Sector Command revealed that five adult males were involved in the crash., adding that two of the occupants who died on the spot were foreign nationals.

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Photo: FRSC officials at the scene of the accident. Credit: FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking led to the crash involving British-Nigerian boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed stated that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.

The FRSC Ogun Sector Command revealed that five adult males were involved in the crash., adding that two of the occupants who died on the spot were foreign nationals.

Their remains have since been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.

Joshua and the driver of the vehicle were rescued by security personnel attached to his convoy and taken to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

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JUST IN: Anthony Joshua escapes death in Ogun auto crash

An eyewitness disclosed that there were four occupants in the Lexus at the time of the crash, with Joshua seated behind the driver. While the boxer sustained minor injuries, two occupants of the vehicle reportedly died on the spot.

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World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, narrowly escaped death on Monday after being involved in a road accident along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway at Makun area of Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred at about 11:00 a.m., just before Danco Filling Station, Makun, inward the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan axis of the expressway.

Joshua was reportedly travelling in a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are yet to be fully ascertained.

The Lexus was said to be part of a two-vehicle convoy, alongside a Pajero SUV conveying his security detail.

The Lexus was said to be part of a two-vehicle convoy, alongside a Pajero SUV conveying his security detail.

An eyewitness disclosed that there were four occupants in the Lexus at the time of the crash, with Joshua seated behind the driver. While the boxer sustained minor injuries, two occupants of the vehicle reportedly died on the spot.

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