Senator Victor Umeh has revealed that Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate owns more than 200 shops in the Trade Fair Complex recently demolished by the Lagos State Government.

The demolition of the shops has been attracting condemnation, with the Lagos State Government defending its action.

The government while trying to justify the demolition, went as far as stating that some states in the South-East carried out similar action in the past.

The Lagos authorities had defended the demolition, citing violations of the state’s physical planning and development control regulations.

However, speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise programme, Umeh criticised the demolition and claimed that Obi was among the original developers of the complex.

The senator representing Anambra Central said that Obi was among the original developers of the complex.

“Over 70 percent of the traders in that complex are our people. You can’t just intimidate or displace them without following due process.

“Mr Peter Obi is one of the developers in that Trade Fair Complex. He owns a plaza with over 200 shops there, dating back to 1995, and serves as a patron to all the associations operating in the area.”

He added that the former governor could not ignore the distress of affected traders who had reached out to him following the demolition.

“People contacted him because they were being treated unfairly. How can you accuse him of acting provocatively when the Lagos State Government itself acted outside the law?” Umeh queried.

The senator also alleged that the land in question did not belong to the Lagos State Government, insisting that the demolition was carried out “illegally and in bad faith.”

The peace and reconciliation move by the newly inaugurated caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu led by Dr. Ben Nwoye, took a positive turn on Saturday as it nullified the suspension slammed on some leaders and members of the party by the dissolved executive of Ugochukwu Agballah.

The  Caretaker Committee Chairman, announced the nullification of the controversial suspension by Agballah, which was the major cause of the crisis that has rocked the party in the state for  over two years.

Nwoye, who returned to the leadership of the party following the dissolution of the Agballah-led exe by the National Working Committee, made the declaration while addressing a large gathering of party leaders and supporters at the APC Secretariat in Enugu.

He described the series of suspensions carried out under the previous leadership as a “political caricature” that undermined the strength and unity of the party in the state.

According to him, all suspensions —whether communicated through audio messages, letters, or radio announcements — are now null and void.

“How can you suspend the very people you need to win elections?”, Nwoye asked pointedly, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.

The caretaker chairman emphasized that the party must rebuild from within, calling on leaders at all levels to embark on a reconciliation and reintegration process aimed at bringing back every member who felt sidelined or unjustly treated.

“There is no victor and no vanquished. This is not a time for vengeance but for unity. We must open our arms to those who may have gone astray and rebuild our house together,” he declared.

Nwoye also revealed that the national leadership of the APC had given him a clear mandate to return to Enugu and unite the party, ahead of critical political contests in the state.

He stressed that the political atmosphere in Enugu has significantly changed with the emergence of Governor Peter Mbah, noting that his official coming has ushered in a new political dawn for the APC. He warned that the party can no longer afford to remain divided or silent in the evolving political landscape.

“With the right strategy and unity of purpose, APC will not remain on the sidelines in Enugu. We will be the party that sets the agenda and defines the next political direction of this state,” Nwoye stated boldly.

His announcement was received with enthusiasm by party members and leaders, who described it as a bold step toward healing old wounds and repositioning the APC as a formidable political force in Enugu State.

Political observers believe Nwoye’s return as caretaker chairman may mark the beginning of a major realignment in the party’s structure, as efforts intensify to strengthen its base and prepare for future electoral battles.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, said former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to engage President Bola Tinubu on the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore disclosed this on Friday via his X handle after meeting with Jonathan in Abuja.

According to him, their discussion centred on the “urgent and compelling need” to address Kanu’s case “decisively and justly.”

Sowore said, “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan (Goodluck Jonathan) to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi @NnamdiKanu.

“President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. I thank him sincerely for recognising the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing.

“Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet @officialabat (President Bola Tinubu) to discuss this issue as soon as possible.”

He noted that with this development, Jonathan joins a growing list of Nigerians who have called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.

“A list that already includes ex-Vice President @atiku, Femi Falana SAN, Senator @ShehuSani, and many others across political and regional divides,” Sowore said.

The activist reiterated his call for Kanu’s release, saying the IPOB leader “remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalisation in Nigeria.”

He also urged political, cultural, and religious leaders, including Peter Obi, Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, Oby Ezekwesili, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s John Mbata, to join the campaign for Kanu’s release.

Kanu has been in detention since 2021 after being re-arrested abroad and returned to Nigeria to face trial on charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.

Several court orders granting him bail or ordering his release have yet to be implemented.