A major political confrontation has erupted in Lagos following the demolition of structures at the ASPAMDA Market within the Trade Fair Complex. Presidential aspirant Peter Obi (Labour Party, 2023 elections), alongside federal lawmakers and party elites, visited the site on Tuesday, triggering a swift and sharp rebuttal from the Lagos State Government.
Obi’s Visit and Accusations of Impunity
Obi and his delegation, which included Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh, and the Honorable House of Representatives member for Amuwo-Odofin, George “Omogeye” Adegeye, arrived at the Trade Fair Complex, specifically the AutoParts Plaza, for a discussion with market stakeholders.
The visit came just a day after the Trade Fair markets staged a massive protest, shutting down the entire complex for hours and leaving numerous customers stranded.
In a statement titled ‘The Lagos Trade Fair Demolition: A Test of Impunity, Justice and Compassion,’ Peter Obi strongly condemned the demolition:
“We visited the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair in Lagos, where plazas were pulled down despite traders having obtained the requisite approvals.”
Obi called the action unjust and economically destructive, urging all levels of government to act with “compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice.”
“Many of the affected traders invested heavily—often through loans—in the hope of securing their livelihoods… To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.”
The aspirant pledged support for a full investigation by the attending Senators and House of Representatives members to prevent future occurrences, declaring, “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Lagos State Fires Back: “Obi Wrong on Trade Fair Complex”
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, immediately issued a detailed press statement refuting Obi’s claims and accusing him of spreading “misinformation and disinformation” fueled by political interests.
Omotoso maintained that the buildings were demolished because their owners lacked the necessary approval, stating:
- No Approval: “The owners of the building have no approval.”
- Shunned Amnesty: Owners were given ample time to regularize their papers during a general amnesty period but shunned the offer.
- Hostility to Officials: When Physical Planning officials visited, they were assaulted and driven out of the complex.
Omotoso tackled the legal argument raised by the traders, who claimed permission from the Trade Fair Complex Management Board. The Commissioner clarified the law:
“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.”
He cited the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act and a 2003 Supreme Court judgment (Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation), which affirm that Physical Planning and building approvals fall squarely within the remit of State Governments, even on federal lands.
The state government insisted that the issue is not political, but one of legality: “We must decide the kind of society we want—one governed by law or one run by emotions, fueled by political interests.”
The Commissioner’s robust response suggests that Peter Obi’s visit and public stance on the demolition have successfully amplified the controversy, triggering significant political engagement, particularly among Nigerians in the South-West.
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