AfriPulse
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu briefing the Press during his assessment tour of the flooded areas in Lagos Island on Sunday, 8 October 2023. With him: Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Barr Tokunbo Wahab (second right); Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environment, Dr Omobolaji Gaji (right); Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso (left) and the Special Adviser to the Governor –Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu (second left).
The Lagos State Government has pushed back against comments made by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over the recent demolition of structures at the ASPAMDA section of the Trade Fair Complex, stating that Obi’s claims are “wrong” and misleading.
In a statement on Wednesday, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, accused Obi of spreading “misinformation and disinformation” following his visit to the affected site alongside lawmakers and political associates.
During his visit, Obi condemned the demolition of the market stalls and plazas, claiming that the traders had obtained valid building approvals.
He described the incident as a “test of impunity, justice and compassion,” urging authorities to act with greater empathy in a time of economic hardship.
“To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive,” Obi said, adding that many of the traders had taken loans to build their businesses and now face severe losses.
However, the Lagos State government has refuted Obi’s narrative, insisting that the demolished structures were unauthorised and that multiple opportunities were given to the owners to regularise their documents before enforcement began.
“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,” said Omotoso.
The statement further alleged that Lagos State physical planning officials were assaulted when they attempted to inspect the site, and that the property owners had refused invitations to dialogue with the government.
A key point of contention is the role of the Trade Fair Management Board, a federal agency overseeing the complex.
Obi’s comments suggested that the traders acted in good faith based on permissions from the board. But Lagos insists that the board has no legal authority to approve building developments, citing both state law and a landmark 2003 Supreme Court ruling which affirms the state’s control over urban planning, even on federal lands.
“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,” the statement read.
The state government framed the issue as a broader test of whether Nigeria should be governed by the rule of law or emotional populism.
“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,” Omotoso added.
Source: TheWhistler | Read the Full Story…
