The Imo State government is facing widespread criticism after officials marked a private event facility for potential demolition and demanded documentation, shortly after the venue hosted a political gathering involving Peter Obi.
Foret Events Centre, situated along Port Harcourt Road near Concord Junction in New Owerri, was defaced with red paint and an official notice instructing management to present their paperwork.
What did the demolition notice state?
The inscription sprayed onto the structure explicitly directed the owners to produce their title documents and prove the payment of ground rent within a 48-hour window. The directive was attributed directly to the Imo State Government.
This development came to light on a Tuesday, merely days after the establishment served as the venue for a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall gathering.
Background to the event
Records show that Peter Obi, a prominent political figure and former presidential candidate, alongside various allies, utilized the facility on October 31, 2026. The assembly attracted a substantial turnout of enthusiastic supporters, party faithful, and local residents.
During the interactive session, Obi remarked to the audience that President Bola Tinubu had yet to spend a single night in Imo State since assuming office.
Reactions from Nigerians and political observers
Following the circulation of images and footage showing the marked building across social media platforms, citizens expressed widespread dismay, directly connecting the government's action to the venue's recent political tenant.
Affiliates of the opposition condemned the development as a calculated political vendetta designed to instil fear in business owners who provide spaces for opposition activities. Critics pointed out that the timing—occurring roughly ten days after the high-profile gathering—raised significant concerns about political neutrality.
Additional commentary from residents suggested the incident was intended as a chilling warning to other commercial event operators throughout the South East region to avoid accommodating opposition figures and parties.
As of the time of reporting, the Imo State Government had not released any official clarification regarding the statutory reasons behind the property's targeting, nor had it verified whether an actual demolition decree had been finalized against the facility.