IGBOZURUOKE MEDIA

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the ongoing demolition of properties owned by the Igbo in Lagos State, describing the exercise as a source of pain and hardship for many Nigerians.

Speaking during the commissioning of projects in Aba, Abia State, Kalu appealed to the president to prevail on the Lagos State government to stop further demolitions and give affected owners a chance to regularise their property documents.

“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 said.

According to him, “For some of them who have not gotten the right documents, my plea to you is to appeal to the governor of Lagos state to keep accommodating our brothers.

“Allow them to rectify their documents instead of destruction. Let them come into the room, find a way, and regularise some of these documents. It bleeds our hearts that houses are being destroyed in these hard times,” he added.

The Lagos State government had recently demolished plazas at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo Local Government Area, a move that has sparked public concern over the fate of many property owners in the state.

Obi had visited the complex where buildings were recently demolished, commending traders for their “restraint” and alleging that the affected structures had approvals. He further described the incident as “a test of impunity, justice and compassion.”

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had faulted the demolition exercise by Lagos State government.

“I must commend the traders for their remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such painful loss. I equally appreciate the Senators and the House of Representatives members who have pledged to investigate this matter thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to this unfortunate development, and most importantly, ensure that the situation does not occur in the future,” he stated.

“Beyond this immediate case, I urge government at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice, especially at this difficult time. 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.”

“A society that seeks to make progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens. Incidents like this should have no place in a nation that aspires to fairness, stability, and shared prosperity.”

However, the Lagos State government has rejected Obi’s claims, insisting that the facts show otherwise.

According to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Wednesday “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.”

He explained that the affected owners ignored multiple opportunities to comply. “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.”

Omotoso emphasised that the Trade Fair Management Board, a federal creation, does not possess the authority to grant planning approvals.

“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.”

He added: “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.”  (Sahara Reporters)