The Lagos State Government has justified the controversial demolitions that recently took place at the Trade Fair Complex, insisting that the exercise was backed by the laws of the state.
DAILY POST reports that the demolition of properties belonging mainly to some South-Eastern traders has raised dust across the country.
Notable figures from the region have since condemned the action of the Lagos State Government, which some claimed targeted Igbo traders doing business in the state.
Lending his voice to the matter earlier on Monday, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, described the demolition as illegal, stating that such actions were beyond the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government.
“The country is governed by laws and the constitution. I’m disappointed that the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State came on air to justify an illegal action,” he stated on Channels TV.
Reacting to the lawmaker’s comment, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said there was nothing illegal about the demolition.
He pointed out that similar actions had taken place in the South-East when Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State “removed contraventions.”
In a post on his official X handle, Wahab wrote: “When it comes to Lagos State, every Tom, Dick, and Harry has an opinion. Was it illegal when Gov. @alexottiofr removed contraventions in Abia State?
“Was it also illegal when Gov. @CCSoludo removed contraventions in Anambra?
“Here in Lagos, every one of our actions is backed by law, and we stand by them all. We remain committed to enforcing the laws without distraction, irrespective of whose ox is gored.”
Lagos govt justifies demolition in Trade Fair Complex, says Otti, Soludo did same in Abia, Anambra