Nigerians have reacted in diverse ways to the recent demolition of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) Market, popularly known as Lagos Trade Fair, a market ultimately dominated by Igbos by the Lagos State Government.
While the greater majority found the state government culpable, other found reasons to exonerate it.
Yet others cited ethnic hatred and bigotry for the state government’s action.
The Genesis
The matter was blown open when the former Governor of Anambra State and the candidate of Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, visited the sight of the demolition.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reported that Mr. Obi visited the demolished site along with Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, and Tony Nwoye.
Peter Obi and his entourage at the demolished Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) Market, popularly known as Lagos Trade Fair
Other in the entourage were Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowonmi, George Adegeye.
The rest were Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Mr. Tanko Yunusa.
Taking to his “X”, formerly Twitter, handle “@PeterObi” after the visit, Mr. Obi described the demolition of the market as a “Test of Impunity, Justice, Compassion”.
Lagos Government Reacts
Reacting, Lagos State Government attacked Peter Obi over his remarks on the demolished Lagos Trade Fair.
Speaking on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, claimed in a press release that the buildings in question have no approval.
Mr. Omotoso further claimed that when Physical Planning officials visited the complex, the gates were locked against them.
He also claimed that they were beaten up and that the police had to rescue them.
According to him, the owners refused to honour government’s invitation for talks when the government called.
The demolished market
Nigerians react
Zuma @EzumaMario35718
Ghana no even do reach like this, I was asking an APC member whether dividing Nigeria across all tribes and hurting the peace Lagos once had was part of their agenda as a government political party in power. Well, it’s recorded in the history of the contributions of the APC govt.
Concerned Citizen @TimedFrank
To summarize:
“Since you people refused to “regularize your papers” (drop millions), we will RETALIATE & PUNISH you not by sealing the property, not by taking you to court but by pulling down & demolishing the buildings simply because we can and NOTHING will happen”
Ok…got it.
Atobajaye @Atobajaye25
The demolition is nothing but an ego clash between the State and Federal Governments, and investors are the ones bearing the losses. The irony is that it’s the same party ruling in both Abuja and Lagos, yet they couldn’t agree on a solution that would save people from suffering. This looks more like a calculated strategy to make people lose their investments.
4Yrs_is_Enough @EzeokwuosaUgo
Now take note, the Igbos you hate to see but like to exploit arrived in Lagos following the rivers that lead to the sea ports and the oceans. When your bad policies drive the investors away with their capital to other shores, you’ll have a big and unviable empty Lagos to urself.
ADENIYI_SO @opraf59
So, if Peter Obi hadn’t come to Trade Fair Market, does it mean the public wouldn’t deserve to hear this story? Must people’s hard work and struggles always be demolished by the Lagos State Government? There are many amendments and cautions that should be considered before destroying the livelihoods people have built.
Media7 @MMangrove3252
Can you hear the lies? FG established organization was in the market. The state urban planner & other agencies were in their presence witnessing the clearing and erection of the properties from the beginning till the end and none stopped the building as you claim it’s not approved.
NotYourAvgThinker @MrOzor1
1. Sanwo Olu and his team give approval for a building and collect revenue.
2. Sanwo Olu and his agbero will collect “owoda” for everything.
3. Sanwo Olu and his team will not stop an “illegal building/construction ” (they approved) when it was going on.
4. Sanwo Olu and his team will declare a house they collected all kinds of money for approval for “illegal” or on drainage/waterway.
5. Sanwo Olu and his team will start demolition after 2 weeks’ notice.
6. Sanwo Olu and his team will rush to X to blame reasonable people for calling out their evil.
Paul @Dozie_Paul
Those who cannot build often take pleasure in destroying what others have worked hard to create. How easily Lagos State bulldozes people’s homes and businesses reveals a profound lack of empathy, a quality that can only come from the heart of a true builder.
Pastor John @PastorJohnLPM
This is a height of impunity. You mean you demolished a building without due process? Without court order? Without quit notice? This same government is praying for foreign investors, yet they act like animals. This same govt lied no one died in Lekki EndSARS protest.
Utieyinnoritse McNeil @DavidMc17880564
If u don’t deal with Peter Obi like a criminal he won’t stop the grandstanding.
CHIDDY @CHIDDYforPO
“…but building approvals must pass through Lagos State Govt”
On Federal Land? Na so. A few months ago when Tinubu said FEDERAL GOVERNMENT not STATE GOVERNMENT would enforce the setbacks (lands) around the coastal road, we didn’t hear pin from you. 🤭
Quote Channels Television, @channelstv May 31:
“FG Will Enforce Setbacks Around Coastal Road, Tinubu Warns Developers”
Deborah @DebbySimon69
After the evil Lagos state demolished the Igbos properties at trade fair, he said Lagos state can allocate space and give administrative consent… but building approvals must pass through Lagos State Govt. The wicked Lagos state govt said the Igbo traders doesn’t have approvals?
Babatunde | OmoAkin @spyda247
If Peter Obi becomes a threat to the peace and tranquility of Lagos State, he must be arrested and criminally prosecuted. We cannot have a migrant civilian or politician forming a parallel government in Lagis State. QED
Dare Adeniyi @oludare_adeniyi
Recalcitrant Nigerians who continue to violate extant physical planning laws can only wail when their illegal buildings are rightfully reduced to rubble. That is all they can do. All of us will learn to do the right thing whether we like it or not.
PILOT @Realpillot1
Whatever Lagos state government is doing against the Igbos is deliberate and intentional. From the demolition of Obi’s brother’s property to every other demolitions, including the one at trade fair complex. Dey want 2 suppress the Igbos at all cost but the Igbo spirit will always emerge.
Truthtite @Chukwuemek88751
U go explain tire! This legal arm twisting can easily be done in Anambra and elsewhere against people of SW. It’s not the planning law. It’s a trend that started with change of street names, the Owambe art exh issue, etc. which are all connected with the 2023 election results in Lagos.
Adeniyi .O. @Desmith2012
I don’t blame them, they are riding on the weakness of governor @jidesanwoolu. I wish we have real conservative man as a governor, @PeterObi and his Ibo brothers will not have boldness to come. This is Lagos state, one of Yoruba state, you hold them no explanation for God sake.
Mr. Niyi @niyiofficial
You are here explaining your actions to an ordinary ex-presidential aspirant. Kai… Disappointing! Go and learn from your Edo & Benue State counterpart by giving him clear warnings on his public conduct. Una don see am for Benue or Edo since Gov. Monday warn am?
Adegoke Ademola @AdegokeAdemol19
You know well ooooo. By now you supposed to beaten them blue black. Can Yoruba people do this in south east? These Ibo people over stepped their boundaries. Well Sanwo olu is very very weak, may be he want to destroy APC in Lagos state.
BURSTING BUBBLES @bubbleburstee
The presence of Peter Obi at the site sent a message to the world. The world saw the WICKEDNESS of YORUBAs against IGBOs. It’s on record. Obi knew what he was doing.
Yorubas wrote @UN
Crying about Fulanis attacks, but behind they attack IGBOs and think no one saw them. Evil souls!
Dare Adeniyi @oludare_adeniyi
Recalcitrant Nigerians who continue to violate extant physical planning laws can only wail when their illegal buildings are rightfully reduced to rubble. That is all they can do. All of us will learn to do the right thing whether we like it or not.
Kaizer Sozzey @ChiduObodo
Tinubu’s government has decided to keep on lying to Nigerians and it sucks. You mean people can beat up govt officials in Lagos and go free to the extent that police had to rescue the officials? Everything here are filthy lies, anyone who believes this is a very big fool.
BATifekori @Humbletunde
Koni da fun yin, ko ji da fun @PeterObi, ko ni da fun awon ibo. Why is it that when they demolish building in their God forsaking barren states, nobody cry but once its SW you see emotion flying here and there and its the government enabling this useless tribe called ibo.
Refiner Voice @RefinerVoice
Separation is what will solve this deep-rooted hate.
1. Let’s talk about why the 1914 Amalgamation of Nigeria was a grave British error. It wasn’t just a forced union—it was a blueprint for dysfunction. A look at other British “amalgamations” like India-Pakistan-Bangladesh and Malaysia-Singapore tells us everything we need to know.
2. Britain had a habit of lumping together completely different peoples into single colonies, not based on cultural compatibility—but on administrative convenience. Nigeria was no different:
North = Islamic, feudal, Hausa-Fulani; South = Christian, educated, Igbo/Yoruba. Two completely different worlds.
3. Now look at India (pre-1947): Hindu-majority India; Muslim-majority East and West Pakistan lumped into a single British India. What followed? Partition. 1 million+ dead. 15 million displaced. Eventually, East Pakistan split to become Bangladesh in 1971.
4. Imagine if India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were still one country today under a single government. Can’t? Exactly. It would be ungovernable. Religious, ethnic, and ideological differences would have paralyzed the system. Now—look back at Nigeria.
5. Nigeria’s amalgamation mirrors this:
Different religions, Different value systems, No shared national vision, Regional resentment, Instead of creating unity, the 1914 amalgamation planted the seeds of permanent mistrust and structural imbalance.
6. Another example: Malaysia & Singapore. In 1963, Britain helped merge: Malay Peninsula – Chinese-majority Singapore. What happened?By 1965, Singapore was kicked out. Why? Deep ethnic and political tensions. Even two states couldn’t survive that union.
7. Singapore’s exit became its salvation. Today: Prosperous, Globally respected, Politically stable, Meanwhile, Malaysia remains haunted by racial division. Now ask yourself—what if Nigeria’s incompatible regions had gone their own way early?
8. Instead, we’re stuck in a country: Where elections are zero-sum games; Where one region’s progress feels like another’s loss; Where unity is constantly preached, but never practiced; All because of a British experiment that never made sense.
9. The 1914 amalgamation wasn’t a marriage—it was a forced merger of strangers with clashing interests. And like India-Pakistan-Bangladesh, like Malaysia-Singapore—it was doomed from the start. But Nigeria still pretends it can work if we “just try harder.”
10. Maybe it’s time to ask the hard question: Should Nigeria be a single country—or a union of nations deciding their own fate? History shows: When unity is forced on incompatible regions, separation brings peace.
Chinedu Nnabuihe @Edu2quest
With this statement, this really shows that the demolition is not about drainage as earlier claim by the government but about power struggle, imagine bringing down people business bcos u want to exercise executive power. This is very bad for a govt, if this is a Yoruba businesses.
LAGOS IGBO INDIGENE @Chimaob00448343
The audacity of Lagos State government to move into a secluded federal government land and start pulling down buildings. a desperation motivated by “we are now the ones in charge of federal government mindsets”
John Fakanlu @john_fakanlu
Obi is setting up a shadow government in Lagos and that government is illegal and must be contained by all necessary legal means before it is too late.
Equity, Justice & Fairness @Equity_and_Just
So, you demolished because there was no regularization (instead of sealing it off) and not because it was built on right of way of canal or defective structures. Just listen to yourself!!!!’
WinnerMan @BonsuaBelivo
But to be very honest, bringing down those buildings was very wrong. Very very wrong. Since their documents could be regularise, all the govt need do was to ask them to pay some fine for noncompliance or take them to Court to make sure the fine is paid. Demolition was wrong.
opp @obeto208
Simple comprehension is really hard for Nigerians. Land administration is vested in state governments. For the Federal government, development of land in a state will require the resident state approval.
Mcmanley Manley @ManleyMcmanley
Obi wasn’t wrong. As long as the land was approved for building by Lagos state body, it was an approval. Lagos state government should organise themselves very well and stop creating chaos.
Kelvin @KAmunuba
It is all about tribal bigotry. This has nothing to do with approval or no approval but the governor’s hatred for Igbos. Sanwo Olu is igbophobic and has shown it by his many actions against the Igbos
BossBoss @MenaBossBoss
This was how Warri started. Lagos will soon be a shadow of its own. Investors are watching. If Lagos state govt could do such a thing to a Nigerian. What about Mine ? My own Will be worse. Lagos state govt is on suicide mission against itself. Govt will come and go remember.
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