The Lagos State Government has condemned the actions of certain political actors “of South-East extraction” who, it said, were misrepresenting the provisions of the law regarding the ongoing building and planning enforcement at the Trade Fair Complex in the Ojo area of the state.
This was contained in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Jubril Gawat, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing physical planning laws within the provisions of the Constitution and dismissed allegations of ethnic bias being circulated by opposition figures.
“The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to attempts by certain political actors, particularly of South-East extraction, to misrepresent facts and discredit the ongoing enforcement at the Complex. Such actions are populist, ill-motivated, and aimed at scoring cheap political points rather than advancing the cause of public safety and sustainable development,” the statement read.
The government said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remained firmly committed to promoting “an orderly, inclusive, liveable, and sustainable physical environment.”
It listed several areas where similar enforcement exercises had been carried out without ethnic considerations, including: Pelewura Market, Lagos Island – predominantly occupied by Yoruba traders; Bombata Market, Lagos Island – predominantly occupied by Yoruba traders; LSDPC Low-Cost Housing Estate, Ilasan, Eti-Osa – largely allotted to Yoruba occupants; Otumara, Ebute Metta – mainly occupied by people of Ilaje origin; Alaba Rago – predominantly occupied by Hausa traders and Oluwole Market, Lagos Island – dominated by Yoruba traders.
The statement added that several states in the South-East, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo, had also carried out demolitions of illegal structures for flood control, urban renewal, or masterplan enforcement — all without ethnic undertones.
“Why should that of Lagos State be different?” it queried.
The Lagos government distanced itself from political grandstanding and called on “ethnic populists” to desist from aggravating political tension within the state.
“It is disingenuous and divisive for anyone to resort to ethnic sensationalism whenever enforcement actions involve structures owned or occupied by individuals of Igbo extraction,” the statement continued.
“The Lagos State Government will not be drawn into political grandstanding and urges those fanning ethnic sentiments to desist and instead focus on addressing pressing socio-economic issues within their constituencies. The actions of the Lagos State Government are always guided by the law,” it concluded.