The Lagos State Government has denounced the statement by Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, after he described the state’s enforcement of its physical planning laws at Lagos Trade Fair Complex as “a Test of Impunity, Justice and Compassion.”
Obi, who had earlier led a delegation of opposition leaders to the market to assess the scene of the enforcement, condemned the demolition, insisting that traders secured necessary permits.
However, in a Wednesday statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the state condemned Obi’s statement, describing it as “an effort to mislead the public by misinformation and disinformation.”
The state insisted that the owners of the building had no approval, stressing that the government, during its enforcement process, gave an ultimatum for regularisation, which was extended several times.
The statement reads, “Obi wrong on Trade Fair Complex
“Ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has visited the Trade Fair Complex, where the Lagos State Government enforced its Physical Planning Laws. He praised the traders for what he called their “restraint”, adding that the buildings that were knocked down had approvals.
“He launched into emotional theatrics, describing the incident as “a test of impunity, justice and compassion” – all in an effort to mislead the public by misinformation and disinformation. This is unfair.”
“Here are the facts of the matter:
“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. The police rescued them,” it added.
The statement further revealed that government officials had invited the traders to a meeting, but the invitation was ignored. The traders had reportedly justified their unapproved structures by claiming that the Trade Fair management had approved.
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“When the government called the owners for talks, they said they would not come; they did not come.
“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 the power to approve or regulate building developments within the complex, independent of the Lagos State Government.
“Physical Planning and building approvals are within the remit of State Governments. Under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992, as domesticated by Lagos State’s Physical Planning and Development Regulations), all physical development in any part of Lagos must obtain planning permit/approval from the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.”
The statement further clarified the court’s ruling regarding the Trade Fair management’s administrative powers. It stressed that the Lagos State Government retains the sole authority to approve all building structures.
“This position was further clarified and reinforced by the Supreme Court judgment of 2003 (Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation) that land use and physical planning fall under concurrent jurisdiction, and states retain the authority to regulate development control within their territories, including federal lands, except for core areas like military formations or exclusive federal enclaves.
“The Trade Fair Complex Board may manage leases, tenancies, and commercial activities, but any construction, alteration, or development still requires a 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 the 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,” the statement concluded.
https://x.com/Mr_JAGs/status/1973374811444310366
