The Lagos State government has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi of misleading the public with misinformation and disinformation regarding the demolition carried out by the state at the Trade Fair Complex.

This was after Obi visited the scene and praised the affected traders for what he called their “restraint”, adding that the buildings that were knocked down had approvals.

Following Obi's emotional theatrics, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, issued a statement to clarify the matter.

According to him, the owners of the affected buildings have no approval, adding that they had ample time to regularise their papers when the state government declared a general amnesty last year, 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. 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 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. 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.

"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 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 said.

ASA