Nigerians blast Imo govt for allegedly marking centre for demolition after Obi’s town hall meeting
A public outcry has arisen in response to the Imo State government’s recent directive to mark a private event center for demolition, reportedly following the site’s hosting of a town hall meeting for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The event center, known as Foret Events Centre, is situated on Port Harcourt Road near Concord Junction in New Owerri. Red spray paint was used to mark the building with a notice demanding the management present the necessary licensing documents. The warning stated, “Show your title document and ground rent within 48 hours, by Imo State Government.”
This marking was discovered on Tuesday, only days after the center hosted the NDC’s town hall meeting on October 31, 2026, which attracted a large assembly of supporters, party leaders, and local residents. During the meeting, Obi criticized President Bola Tinubu, alleging that he had not spent a single night in Imo State since taking office.
Following the release of photos and videos of the marked building on social media, many Nigerians expressed concern, suggesting a political motive behind the government’s actions. Supporters of the NDC characterized the marking as a political witch hunt, intended to intimidate venues that accommodate opposition events. They noted the timing was questionable, coming just ten days after Obi’s appearance at the center, and some viewed it as a warning to other venues in the Southeast against allowing NDC events.
As of the time of this report, the Imo State Government has not released an official statement clarifying the legal basis for the marking or confirming whether a demolition order has been finalized for the property.
