Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi visited the site of a recent demolition at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo on September 30, 2025, condemning the action as a “test of impunity, justice and compassion” and claiming the affected buildings had requisite approvals.

In a swift rebuttal on October 1, 2025, the Lagos State Government accused Obi of spreading “misinformation and disinformation” to mislead the public, insisting the structures were built without state permits despite ample opportunities for regularization.

The exchange has reignited debates over urban planning enforcement, federal-state jurisdictional tensions, and political motivations in Nigeria’s commercial hub.

 

Obi’s Visit and Remarks

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Obi, accompanied by Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, House members Segun Sowunmi and George Adegeye, Labour Party gubernatorial candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and Obidient Movement coordinator Tanko Yunusa, toured the demolished ASPAMDA Market site.

In a detailed X post following the visit, Obi praised the traders’ “remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such painful loss,” while slamming the demolition of over 19 buildings at New Mandela Plaza on September 25, 2025.

He stated: “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… Many of the affected traders invested heavily—often through loans—in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy. To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.”

Obi urged governments to act with “compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice,” warning that such incidents undermine enterprise and dignity in a nation aspiring to “fairness, stability, and shared prosperity.” He commended lawmakers for pledging a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences, ending with his signature refrain: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”

The visit, captured in photos shared on X showing Obi interacting with distraught traders amid rubble, garnered over 1.3 million views and 9,700 likes within 48 hours, amplifying calls for accountability.

 

LASG’s Counter: ‘Obi Wrong on Trade Fair Complex’

In a pointed response titled “OBI WRONG ON TRADE FAIR COMPLEX,” Gbenga Omotoso, Head of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, accused Obi of “emotional theatrics” to politicize the issue.

Omotoso, speaking on behalf of the state, detailed the government’s position, emphasizing that the buildings lacked approvals despite a 2024 amnesty extended multiple times for regularization.

Key facts from the rebuttal:
– Owners ignored the amnesty and refused to regularize documents.
– Physical Planning officials were locked out and assaulted during site visits; police intervened for their rescue.
– The Trade Fair Complex Management Board, a federal entity, lacks authority to approve buildings independently; all developments require Lagos State permits under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992, as domesticated).
– A 2003 Supreme Court judgment (Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation) affirms states’ concurrent jurisdiction over physical planning on federal lands, excluding core federal enclaves.

 

Omotoso clarified: “The board may manage leases and commercial activities, but building approvals must pass through Lagos State Government. Otherwise, such developments would be deemed illegal.”

He urged a choice between a “society governed by law” and one “run by emotions, fueled by political interests,” tying the enforcement to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda for a sustainable built environment.

Commissioner for Physical Planning Dr. Oluyinka Olumide echoed this, stating the action halted “unapproved and unsafe buildings” after failed dialogues.

 

Context of the Demolition

The controversy stems from the September 25 demolition of 19 structures at New Mandela Plaza, part of ongoing LASG efforts to enforce planning laws amid flooding risks and non-compliance.

Traders claimed approvals from the federal Trade Fair Board, but state officials insist these are invalid without Lagos permits. The site, a 350-hectare federal facility, has seen similar actions since 2023, with heavy security ensuring compliance.

Obi’s intervention aligns with his pattern of critiquing governance, as seen in his recent Independence Day speech lambasting APC economic policies.

Supporters view it as solidarity with small businesses, while critics, including APC affiliates, label it opportunistic ahead of 2027 polls.

 

Broader Implications

The spat highlights federal-state frictions over land use, with implications for investors in Lagos, Africa’s largest economy. Affected traders, facing losses estimated at billions of naira, demand compensation and probe, while LASG vows continued enforcement for safety.

National lawmakers’ pledged inquiry could escalate the matter to the Senate.

 

Why This Matters

As Lagos balances rapid urbanization with compliance, Obi’s visit amplifies trader grievances against perceived overreach, while LASG’s defense reinforces rule-of-law priorities. The debate underscores Nigeria’s challenge: fostering growth without impunity.

Peter Obi’s September 30, 2025, visit to the Trade Fair Complex site framed the demolition as a “test of impunity,” urging compassion for traders’ losses.

LASG’s October 1 retort accused him of misinformation, citing legal non-compliance and a 2003 Supreme Court ruling.

As investigations loom, the clash spotlights the tension between enforcement and empathy in Nigeria’s development narrative.