The Lagos State Government has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of politicising the recent demolitions at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
IntelRegion reports that the state government had a few days ago demolished over 19 buildings inside the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
Obi, others visit Trade Fair, says it’s a test of impunity
Obi, alongside Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, members of the House of Representatives, Labour Party Lagos State gubernatorial candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and Obidient Movement coordinator Tanko Yunusa, visited the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Lagos Trade Fair on Tuesday.
Reacting to the incident after visiting the market, Peter Obi, in a post on X, described it as a “test of impunity, justice, and compassion“.
“I must commend the traders for their remarkable calm in the face of such painful loss,” Obi said. He also expressed appreciation to the Senators and House members who have pledged to investigate the incident and ensure that such demolitions do not occur in the future.
Obi called on governments at all levels to act with “compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice,” noting that many traders had invested heavily, often through loans, to secure their livelihoods and contribute to the economy. He emphasized that destroying legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically damaging.
“A society that seeks progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens. Incidents like this should have no place in a nation that aspires to fairness, stability, and shared prosperity,” Obi added.
He concluded by reiterating his vision for a new Nigeria, emphasizing that justice and accountability are central to national development.
‘You are wrong’ – Lagos government counters Obi
However, the Lagos State Government has rejected Obi’s claims, insisting that the facts show otherwise.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Wednesday, said the “owners of the building have no approval”.
He explained that the affected owners ignored multiple opportunities to comply.
“They got ample time to regularise their papers when the state government declared last year a general amnesty, which was extended several times,” Omotoso said.
“The owners shunned the offer. When Physical Planning officials visited the complex, the gates were locked against them; they were beaten up. The police rescued them. When the government called the owners for talks, they said they would not come; they did not come. Their defence is that the Management Board of the Trade Fair permitted them to build their structures. This is wrong.”
Omotoso emphasised that the Trade Fair Management Board, a federal creation, does not possess the authority to grant planning approvals.
He said, “Physical Planning and building approvals are within the remit of State Governments. Under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992, as domesticated by Lagos State’s Physical Planning and Development Regulations), all physical development in any part of Lagos must obtain planning permit/approval from the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.”
Citing legal precedent, Omotoso recalled that the “position was further clarified and reinforced by the Supreme Court judgment of 2003 (Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation) that land use and physical planning fall under concurrent jurisdiction, and states retain the authority to regulate development control within their territories, including federal lands, except for core areas like military formations or exclusive federal enclaves.”
He further clarified the limits of the Board’s role, stating: “The Trade Fair Complex Board may manage leases, tenancies, and commercial activities, but any construction, alteration, or development still requires Lagos State planning permit.
“Otherwise, such developments would be deemed illegal under state law, and the Lagos State Government has the power to seal or demolish them.”
“In other words, the Management Board can allocate spaces and give administrative consent, but building approvals must pass through Lagos State Government. We must decide the kind of society we want – one governed by law or one run by emotions, fueled by political interests,” he added.
The state government, therefore, dismissed Obi’s intervention as “emotional theatrics” aimed at politicising a matter of law enforcement.
“He launched into emotional theatrics, describing the incident as ‘a test of impunity, justice and compassion’ – all in an effort to mislead the public by misinformation and disinformation. This is unfair,” Omotoso said.
