Obi, Abaribe, Akobundu, Other Igbo Political Leaders Visit Lagos Trade Fair Market After Demolition of Igbo-Owned Properties

A delegation of prominent Igbo political figures, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, former PDP National Organising Secretary Colonel Okey Akobundu (Rtd), and political leader Ohamadike, visited the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex on Tuesday to assess the aftermath of the recent demolition of shops and properties belonging to Igbo traders.

This visit follows widespread outcry regarding the controversial demolition, which many Igbo stakeholders have described as targeted and economically damaging to southeastern business owners in Lagos.

The leaders toured the affected sections of the market, interacted with displaced traders, and condemned the destruction of property without what they termed “due consultation or adequate notice.”

The traders informed the delegation that the State government should be notified before any actions are taken. “We have been here since 1977 when the market was established. Where have these people been for the past 48 years? There has been no legislation or disturbance until now. The management board is always informed before any actions are taken here. The government claims they are surprised, but there was no prior notice regarding the demolition.

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“They mentioned that there was an invitation for the Executive Director, Vera Safiya Ndanusa, to meet with them, but she stated she never received any invitation. When she questioned why some buildings were being marked for demolition, they ignored her and proceeded to mark several buildings down for demolition in her presence.”

In defence of the demolition, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, stated that Lagos State’s position is supported by a Supreme Court judgment from 2003, as well as the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2019, which grants the state the authority to regulate and enforce physical planning laws.

“We have taken decisive action to prevent further development of unapproved and unsafe buildings in the Complex, as creating a livable, organised, orderly, and sustainable built environment is essential to achieving our T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda,” he said.

Meanwhile, traders organised under the Trade Fair Stakeholders Association staged a protest yesterday against the demolition of their business premises at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. They described the demolition as “willful, malicious, and illegal.”

Carrying placards that read “Stop destroying our properties,” “Our buildings are FG approved,” and “This complex is regulated by the Federal Government,” the frustrated traders accused the Lagos State Government of violating due process and overstepping its authority.