By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
The Lagos State Government has swiftly countered claims made by the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party(LP), Peter Obi, regarding the recent demolitions at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Ojo Local Government Area of the state.
The Daily Crucible had earlier reported that the state government had few days ago moved earth – moving caterpillars into the Trade Fair Complex and demolished over 19 buildings inside the area which were deemed illegal structures and construction on road set backs, drainage channels and buildings without Lagos government permits.
Peter Obi and some big personalities, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, from the Southeast geopolitical zone, stormed the market afterwards to assess the situation and identify with the victims who are largely Igbo traders.
Reacting after the visit, Peter Obi, in a post on his X handle, described it as a “test of impunity, justice, and compassion.“
But on Wednesday in a statement titled ‘Obi wrong on Trade Fair Complex’, the Lagos government countered the ex – Governor of Anambra State, calling him to choose between a society governed by law and one run by emotions driven by political interests.
It accused Obi of being “unfair,” emphasizing that the “Lagos State Government enforced its Physical Planning Laws.”
The government which countered him through the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, added that Obi’s comment is “an effort to mislead the public by misinformation and disinformation.”
Ómotoso stated, “Ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has visited the Trade Fair Complex where Lagos State Government enforced its Physical Planning Laws.
He praised the traders for what he called their “restraint”, adding that the buildings that were knocked down had approvals.
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.
“Here are the facts of the matter: The owners of the building have no approval. They got ample time to regularise their papers when the state government declared last year a general amnesty, which was extended several times. 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. The board, which is a creation of the Federal Government to manage the complex, does not have powers to approve or regulate building developments within the complex independent of Lagos State Government. 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.
“This 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.
“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.”
