The Lagos State Government has firmly rejected allegations of unfair treatment regarding the recent demolition of over 19 buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, following criticism from former presidential candidate Peter Obi. The incident has sparked a significant dispute, with both sides presenting starkly contrasting narratives concerning legality, due process, and the plight of affected traders.

According to Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Obi's claims misrepresented the facts surrounding the demolitions. Mr. Omotoso stressed that approvals for physical development within the state are exclusively issued by the Lagos State Government, not by the Trade Fair Management Board. He further alleged that ministry officials faced physical attacks and locked gates during inspections, necessitating police intervention. The state maintains that owners of the affected buildings lacked state approval and were given extensive opportunities to regularize their documentation during a general amnesty declared last year, which was extended multiple times but largely ignored. When invited for discussions, the owners reportedly refused to attend.

The Lagos State Government clarified its legal standing, citing the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992), as domesticated by Lagos State law, which mandates state planning permits for all physical development within its territory. This position, the state highlighted, was reinforced by a 2003 Supreme Court judgment in Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation. This landmark ruling affirmed that states retain the authority to regulate development control within their boundaries, including on federal land, with exceptions only for core federal areas such as military formations. Therefore, administrative consent from the Trade Fair Management Board, a federal creation responsible for managing leases and commercial activities, is insufficient for building developments; state approval is mandatory.

The demolitions, executed last Thursday by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Physical Planning Permit Authority, and Urban Renewal Agency, were accompanied by armed security personnel. Oluyinka Olumide, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, stated that the actions targeted unapproved, structurally defective structures, and those built on road setbacks or drainage alignments. He confirmed that developers had been repeatedly urged to regularize their building approvals since November 2023, but many failed to comply. Mr. Olumide reiterated that despite the complex sitting on federal land, developers must still obtain state permits and adhere to Lagos’ planning laws.

In contrast, Peter Obi, during his visit to the Trade Fair Complex on Tuesday alongside lawmakers and Labour Party officials, vehemently condemned the demolitions. He characterized the incident as “a test of impunity, justice and compassion” and alleged that the traders had obtained all necessary approvals before their structures were razed. Mr. Obi commended the traders for their "remarkable restraint" and urged all levels of government to act with fairness and compassion. He warned that destroying legitimate investments without due process is both unjust and economically harmful, emphasizing that a society aspiring to progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend citizens’ dignity.

Traders affected by the exercise, however, offered a different account, describing the demolitions as sudden and carried out without prior notice. An eyewitness named Ikenna reported to The Punch that the operation began around 8 a.m., with police present but no notice to vacate or court order issued. Another trader, Stephen, claimed that one demolished structure possessed federal clearance and questioned the absence of a state-issued notice. Samuel, an engineer supervising one of the buildings, criticized the execution, stating that buildings were marked for demolition on the very morning the operation commenced.

Responding to Mr. Obi's comments, Commissioner Omotoso dismissed his intervention as "misleading" and based on "misinformation," accusing him of engaging in "emotional theatrics" to mislead the public and politicize a matter of law enforcement. Omotoso reiterated the state's position that the owners of the buildings lacked necessary approvals and had deliberately ignored multiple opportunities to comply with planning regulations. He firmly asserted that the state must decide whether it wants a society governed by law or one swayed by emotions and political interests, underscoring the legal imperative behind the government’s actions.