The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has made an impassioned plea to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and halt the ongoing demolition of properties in Lagos State, an exercise that has disproportionately affected property owners of Igbo descent.
Speaking in Aba, Abia State, Kalu described the destruction as a source of “pain and hardship,” stressing that it was heartbreaking to see houses destroyed in these hard economic times.
“Mr. President, I also want to say that the destruction and demolition of the houses and offices of our brothers in Lagos makes our hearts bleed,” Kalu stated.
Kalu specifically requested that the President prevail upon the Lagos State government to grant affected owners a grace period to regularise their documentation rather than resorting to immediate demolition. He urged the state to “allow them to rectify their documents instead of destruction.”
The Deputy Speaker’s call comes after the recent controversial demolition of plazas at the Trade Fair Complex in the Ojo Local Government Area, which sparked a wider public debate:
- Peter Obi Faults Demolitions: Former presidential candidate Peter Obi visited the complex and condemned the exercise, alleging the affected structures had approvals and calling the incident “a test of impunity, justice and compassion.” Obi commended the traders for their “remarkable restraint” and argued that destroying legitimate investments without due process is “unjust but also economically destructive,” particularly when many owners invested heavily through loans.
The Lagos State government, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, staunchly rejected Peter Obi’s claims and defended the legality of the demolitions, insisting the owners were given ample warning.
Omotoso asserted that the owners of the demolished buildings had no approval and deliberately ignored multiple opportunities to comply, despite the state government declaring a general amnesty last year that was extended several times.
Crucially, the Commissioner argued the owners’ defense—that the Trade Fair Complex Management Board permitted the construction—is invalid:
- No Federal Authority: Omotoso clarified that the Trade Fair Management Board is a federal creation meant only to manage the complex and does not have the power to grant planning approvals or regulate building developments.
- State’s Exclusive Remit: Under Nigerian law, specifically the Urban and Regional Planning Act, all physical development in Lagos must obtain a permit from the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Omotoso also alleged that when Physical Planning officials attempted to visit the complex, the gates were locked against them and they were physically attacked, suggesting a deliberate attempt by the owners to thwart regulatory compliance.
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