Lagos State Government has faulted Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi over his comments on the demolition of structures at the Trade Fair Complex.
Commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Wednesday said the buildings pulled down did not have government approval.
Mr Omotoso explained that the owners of the affected structures were given ample time to regularise their papers after a general amnesty was declared in 2024, but they failed to do so.
He added that physical planning officials were attacked when they visited the complex and had to be rescued by police.
According to him, the traders relied on approvals from the Trade Fair Management Board, but the board does not have the authority to approve or regulate building developments.
He said planning permits and approvals fall under the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, citing the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act of 1992 and a 2003 Supreme Court judgement (attorney general of Lagos State v. attorney general of the federation).
Omotoso noted that while the Trade Fair Management Board can allocate spaces and manage leases, all construction and development require planning permits from the state government.
He concluded that developments without such approvals are deemed illegal under Lagos State law.
