The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Chapter, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the ongoing controversy surrounding the demolition and proposed redevelopment of the historic Social Democratic Party (SDP) secretariat located on Niger Street, Fegge, Onitsha.
The organisation appealed to the President to direct the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to immediately suspend all leasing, demolition and construction activities on the property, pending the determination of an ongoing court case over its ownership.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Anambra State Chairman of the CLO, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, the rights group expressed concern that the building was demolished despite a pending legal dispute before the Federal High Court, Awka.
According to the statement, ownership of the property is currently being contested in Suit No. FHC/AWK/CS/2020 between the Ogbo Family of Umuasele Village, Onitsha, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
The organisation described the demolition as a violation of due process and the rule of law, noting that the property remained the subject of active litigation.
CLO further stated that the building was originally constructed during the Third Republic by the administration of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, as the secretariat of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), making it a significant landmark in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The group alleged that the property had been leased to Golden Consult Nigeria Limited, an Asaba-based firm, for ₦37.6 million before the demolition.
“We are dismayed that despite a subsisting court case, one of the parties proceeded to demolish the building with the intention of erecting new structures. This is a blatant disregard for the rule of law and due process,” Ezekwueme said.
The organisation urged President Tinubu to ensure that the status quo is restored and maintained until the court delivers judgment on the ownership dispute.
It also appealed to residents of Fegge and the wider Onitsha community to remain peaceful and refrain from taking actions capable of disrupting public order while the judicial process continues.
Emphasising the importance of protecting democratic institutions, the CLO maintained that respect for the rule of law remains fundamental to Nigeria’s democracy and warned against actions that could erode public confidence in government institutions.
The group said its appeal was a renewed call for federal intervention to prevent further escalation of the dispute and preserve peace, justice and public trust. It also invoked the words of late South African cleric Archbishop Desmond Tutu, stressing the need for citizens and authorities alike to speak out against perceived injustice.
The CLO urged the Federal Government to act swiftly in the interest of justice, peace and the preservation of the nation’s democratic heritage.
