Trade Fair Demolition: Obi Urges Lagos Government to Temper Law with Compassion

The demolition of plazas at the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) section of the Lagos Trade Fair Complex has sparked a contentious debate about legality, livelihoods, and governance. Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for a more compassionate, fair approach by governments in enforcing planning laws—arguing that many traders suffered undue loss despite claiming to have valid permits.

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🔍 Key Details

• The demolitions were carried out by Lagos State’s physical planning regulatory agencies—including the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Urban Renewal Agency, and the Physical Planning Permit Authority. These agencies said the structures were built without valid state planning approvals. 

• Peter Obi visited the demolition site along with Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and other lawmakers, plus Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (LP candidate for Lagos governor) and Obidient Movement leaders. 

• Obi described the demolition as politically and economically destructive. He claimed many traders had purchased loans or invested heavily under the belief their structures were legitimate or approved. 

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🗣 Obi’s Message & Appeals

• Compassion & Fairness: Obi urged governments at all levels to act not only with enforcement of laws but with empathy, especially given that many businesses are fragile and traders invest life savings under assumptions of compliance.

• Due Process: He emphasized the need to verify claims of approval and give affected parties opportunities to regularise their permits before demolitions. Abrupt demolition, according to Obi, destroys livelihoods and investor confidence. 

• Accountability & Investigation: Obi commended the affected traders for restraint and urged that lawmakers investigate the demolition, to uncover the circumstances and prevent recurrence. 

⚖ Lagos Government’s Response

• The Lagos State Government, through Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, responded by faulting Obi’s claim. They maintain the demolished structures had no valid state planning permit. 

• Omotoso said traders were given chances during a state “general amnesty” (for unapproved buildings) to regularize paperwork, but many did not comply. The government also claims officials were obstructed by building owners (locked out, attacked) when attempting enforcement. 

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🧭 Why It Matters

• Economic Consequences: Traders who invested heavily—often borrowing funds—lose capital when structures are demolished, which can discourage entrepreneurship and deepen distrust in regulatory processes.

• Rule of Law vs Livelihoods: Proper regulation requires law enforcement, but when people believe they complied, or have been given reason to believe they had valid approval, enforcement without grace can seem oppressive.

• Public Confidence & Governance: How the state handles such incidents affects citizen trust. If demolitions are seen as arbitrary or harsh, government credibility suffers.

• Legal Precedence & Policy Clarity: Clarity on what constitutes valid approval, authority, and process is essential. Existing laws like the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992) and its domesticated versions require planning permits for physical developments, and Lagos has used those to justify enforcement. 

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✅ What Should Happen

• Chance for dialogue: affected traders should have legal channels to appeal or show proof of approval.

• Review process: the State should transparently audit which structures truly had valid planning permits and which didn’t, to avoid sweeping claims.

• Compensation or transitional support: where legitimate investments are lost, some form of compensation or support (loan assistance, relocation permits, etc) could soften the blow.

• Policy reform: ensuring that regularization amnesty programs are well communicated, fairly administered, and non-discriminatory.

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Obi’s intervention shines a spotlight on a tension many Nigerians face: enforcement of law versus protection of citizen livelihoods. For Lagos and other states, striking that balance may be difficult—but it is essential for stability, fairness, and sustainable economic growth.