The Lagos State Government has responded to Peter Obi’s remarks on the demolition of plazas at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo LGA, maintaining that the affected structures lacked valid approvals.
According to the government, the exercise was carried out by officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.
On Tuesday, Obi visited the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the market, accompanied by federal lawmakers including Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South senator) and Victor Umeh (Anambra Central senator). He said the plazas were demolished despite valid approvals and commended the traders for showing restraint.
He further noted that lawmakers had vowed to “thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to this unfortunate development” to avoid a repeat of such incidents.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, accused the traders of “misleading the public.”
Omotoso stated that the affected owners “had no permits” from the Lagos government and “ignored opportunities” to regularise their documents during an “amnesty declared last year.” He added that state officials were at some point “denied entry” into the complex and even “assaulted” until police intervention.
He also said invitations to meetings were rejected by the traders. Omotoso stressed that the claim that the trade fair management board authorised the buildings was “wrong,” clarifying that the board only manages leases and tenancies but has no power to grant building approvals.
Citing the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992) and a 2003 Supreme Court ruling, Omotoso reiterated that planning approvals in Lagos fall under the state government, with federal boards having no authority except in exclusive areas such as military formations.
“The management board can allocate spaces and give administrative consent, but construction permits must be issued by the Lagos government,” he said.
He concluded that the demolitions were lawful, emphasising that society must decide between upholding the law or yielding to emotions influenced by political interests.