Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing demolition of properties belonging to Igbo traders in Lagos State.
Speaking in Aba, Abia State, during the commissioning of projects, Kalu described the demolitions as painful and urged the Lagos State government to grant affected owners time to regularise their documents instead of rendering them homeless and jobless.
“Mr. President, the destruction of the houses and offices of our brothers in Lagos makes our hearts bleed. For those without the right documents, I appeal that the governor accommodates them and allows them to regularise, rather than demolishing their investments,” he said.
The Lagos State government recently demolished plazas at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo Local Government Area, sparking outrage among property owners and stakeholders.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who visited the site, condemned the exercise, commended traders for their restraint, and insisted that many of the demolished structures had approvals. He described the incident as unjust and economically destructive.
“A society that seeks progress must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens. Destroying investments without due process undermines fairness and stability,” Obi said, urging governments at all levels to act with compassion and justice.
However, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, rejected Obi’s claims, insisting the affected buildings had no approvals. He explained that owners were given multiple opportunities during a government-declared amnesty to regularise their documents but failed to comply.
Omotoso also stressed that the Trade Fair Management Board, a federal body, lacked the authority to approve structures within the complex, noting that such powers rest solely with the Lagos State government under the Urban and Regional Planning Act.
The controversy has continued to fuel public debate over urban regulation, property rights, and the treatment of business owners in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
