The Lagos State Government has refuted allegations by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, regarding the recent demolitions at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
The state government had a few days ago demolished over 19 buildings inside the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
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“.
However, responding on Wednesday in a statement titled ‘Obi wrong on Trade Fair Complex’, the Lagos government accused the politician of politicizing the incident.
The government through the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that Obi’s comment is “an effort to mislead the public by misinformation and disinformation”.
While accusing Obi of being “unfair”, Omotoso said the “Lagos State Government enforced its Physical Planning Laws.”
He added, “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. When the government called the owners for talks, they said they would not come. Their defence is that the Management Board of the Trade Fair permitted them to build their structures. This is wrong.
“The board created by the Federal Government to manage the complex, doesn’t have powers to regulate building developments within the complex independent of Lagos State Government. Physical Planning and building approvals are within the remit of State Governments”.
He further noted that the Trade Fair Complex Board can only manage leases, tenancies, and commercial activities, otherwise, such developments would be deemed illegal under Lagos law.
“We must decide the kind of society we want, one governed by law or one run by emotions, fueled by political interests,” he added.
