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South East Patriots condemns LASG demolition of structures, says Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) is a full-fledged agency of the Federal Ministry

PRESS RELEASE

SEP Condemns Lagos State Government’s Invasion and Demolition at Trade Fair Complex, Calls for Strategic Political-Economic Alignment in 2027

The South East Patriots (SEP) in very strong terms condemn the violent invasion and demolition carried out by the Lagos State Government at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, on Thursday, 25th September 2025.

The operation, accompanied by heavily armed security personnel in over 50 trucks, resulted in the destruction of goods worth billions of naira belonging to traders, the majority of whom are from the South East. To make matters worse, many of the destroyed goods were carted away by local urchins known as area boys, who took advantage of the chaos.

This marks yet another episode of unwarranted interference, recalling a similar invasion halted more than one year ago by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

It is important to restate that the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) is a full-fledged agency of the Federal Ministry, with established departments responsible for building approvals, supervision, and development control under the law that created the agency. Since its commissioning in 1977, the complex has remained under the statutory jurisdiction of the Federal Government, with no legal basis for Lagos State to duplicate functions or assume control.

Apparently without regard to this legal framework—or in a show of overzealousness—several land-related agencies of the Lagos State Government have repeatedly attempted to usurp authority at the complex, despite clear federal oversight mechanisms. Such actions only breed confusion, duplication, and conflict in management.

While the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, confirmed the demolition in a public statement, SEP strongly insists that any genuine concerns over safety or infrastructure within the Trade Fair Complex must be addressed solely by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment through the appropriate channels of LITFCMB.

SEP’s Position

We unequivocally condemn the invasion and demolition carried out on 25th September 2025 at the Trade Fair Complex by Lagos State agencies, accompanied by brute force and destruction.

We condemn the looting of traders’ goods by area boys during the demolition, which has compounded the economic losses of legitimate business owners.

We call on the Federal Government to urgently assert its authority and protect this critical national economic hub from arbitrary state interference.

The Lagos Trade Fair Complex is not only a business space; it is the largest concentration of South East entrepreneurial energy outside the region and one of the biggest drivers of Nigeria’s non-oil economy. It generates:

Billions of naira in annual trade volumes across consumer goods, electronics, textiles, automobile parts, and household equipment.

Hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians of all backgrounds, sustaining livelihoods across Lagos and beyond.

Massive customs and tax revenues for the Federal Government, which depend directly on the daily transactions of South East traders.

A powerful supply chain network that links Lagos to Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and other national markets, thereby reinforcing Nigeria’s internal trade balance.

Any destabilization of this hub amounts to sabotaging Nigeria’s economic growth.

Strategic 2027 Outlook: Linking Politics to the Economy

This attack reinforces SEP’s belief that there is absolutely nothing southern about the current APC-led Federal Government. Instead of prioritising the protection of Igbo economic contributions, it continues to enable hostile actions that undermine them.

SEP is confident that a strategic 2027 partnership between the South East and the North is in the best interest of Nigeria. Such an alliance would:

Decongest Lagos by securing the waters of the old Eastern Region and fully utilizing the Eastern Ports.

Spur the dredging of the River Niger, enabling goods movement by smaller vessels to Lokoja and Makurdi, cutting transport costs and boosting inland economies.

Accelerate the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail line, unlocking trade from the Atlantic coast through the Middle Belt to the far North.

Restore full economic activity at Onne, Port Harcourt, and Warri ports, ensuring a more balanced and resilient national economy.

Redirect investments away from white elephant projects such as additional Lagos ports and superhighways, and into productive infrastructure that strengthens Nigeria’s economic foundation.

Historical Commitment and National Benefits

These priorities are not new. They were part of the Nike Lake Resort Communiqué of November 14, 2018, when South East leaders, under the guidance of the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze SAN, endorsed the Atiku/Obi ticket for 2019.

The South East has never extracted such firm commitments on infrastructure and economic transformation from any other presidential ticket in Nigeria’s history. SEP believes that reviving this partnership in 2027 represents the surest path to:

National economic diversification beyond Lagos.

Massive reduction in import congestion costs, which presently drive inflation across Nigeria.

Expanded job opportunities for youths across all regions.

Balanced regional development that strengthens unity and national security.

Atiku Abubakar’s background as a Customs officer and businessman gives him a deep appreciation of ports and trade. Peter Obi’s record as a prudent administrator and entrepreneur provides the necessary discipline to maximize resources. Together, they represent the leadership team best equipped to protect Igbo investments, revive Nigeria’s economy, and build a sustainable future.

The Lagos Trade Fair Complex is more than a market space; it is the heartbeat of South East enterprise in Lagos and a national economic asset. Any assault on it is an assault on the collective aspirations of our people—and on Nigeria’s economic stability itself.

Signed:

Obunike C. Ohaegbu
Director General, South East Patriots (SEP)

It is good for igbos.They need to learn the hard way if they don't stop the madness of investing in SW.They should bring more down

I have said this thing before, there is no construction, renovation whether from foundation or roof level in Lagos state that the government does not know about, if you think I am lying, just go to any part of Lagos and observe any building that starts construction if that building will not get a notice on it in less than a week from the government.

So for the same government to come and declare so many buildings that have been existing for years or buildings that got notice from them with some form of approval afterwards to be illegal is laughable at the same time annoying.

Obey rules and regulations of the State.

The problem of flooding is still due to these unregulated buildings.

Tribal war loading hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Reading…
South East Patriots condemns LASG demolition of structures, says Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) is a full-fledged agency of the Federal Ministry

Streetinvestor2:
It is good for igbos.They need to learn the hard way if they don't stop the madness of investing in SW.They should bring more down

If you don't know what to write, can't you just read and pass without bigotry and tribalism.

I knew a day like this come.

How can you be building on FG property. These lots got a big heart and money to waste.

Instead of making arguments with documents, you are using verbal utterances.

That land mass will eventually be sold when a government that needs money looks into it, and many will be lost that they won’t even have access to the buyer.

Igbos will start that their victimization slogan now. But Lagos government too dey do o, how many market would they demolished in the name of decongestion and all sort? What's the internal motive behind all this brouhaha happening lately in Lag? It is well.

This is what I was saying state government doesn't have right to enter FG territory but now some state government is seizing up FG lands and FG is doing nothing about it...today I thank that I later change my mind from relocation to lagos in 2009 ...my guy that was preaching to me to come to lagos is now lamenting....such is life

Brendaniel:
hThe Lagos Trade Fair Complex is not only a business space; it is the largest concentration of South East entrepreneurial energy outside the region and one of the biggest drivers of Nigeria’s non-oil economy. It generates:

I have never been to that area before. Is it around badagry area ?

They should create another trade fair complex for them at Upper Iweka. This is Lagos.

All lands in the state are owned by the state government and it is only the state government that can grant approvals and CofO.

When the federal government left Lagos, a lot of lands allocated to the Federal Government in Lagos where either commandeered by officers illegally if they find out it was allocated to their ministry or sold by Omonile.

Always do a search of the land and that way you measure the risk you are taking and decide what kind of structure to put up.

The fact they are saying FG means they don’t have legitimate approval on the land.

The usual victim cry babies have started again. They are always playing the victim card.
You can cry from now till eternity, we don't care.
Take your crying back to your region.
Our land must be protected by any means necessary.
Obey our laws or get out.

Its about to go down. What you see online is gradually playing out in reality. Tribal war is bubbling, sooner or later it will get to a boiling point. Politicians and politics have beginning to destroy our peace coexistence. Shame on all online paid warriors. Dumb Reno comes to mind

Atiku supporters from the SE. Una go condemn tire, Lagos state is the envy of the nation because it has built institutions that work over the years

Any illegality will not be tolerated

I've done business and stayed in trade fair multiple times, and I can tell you that Igbos are going too far with their kind of investment.

Why must they put up that kind of structure outside of South east??

villagecraft:
South East Patriots condemns LASG demolition of structures, says Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) is a full-fledged agency of the Federal Ministry

I also condemn the demolition. It’s a rascal display of stupidity from LASG

The aggrieved people should bring a class action lawsuit against the Lagos state government if they have the legal documentations

Sad to see but the demolition has political undertones. Otherwise, the heads of some public officials would have rolled.

It is impossible for projects of such magnitude to have reached those level without endorsement from at least three government agencies.

SE this SE that pls is Lagos your village to always react to everything maliciously?

People erected structure without pproval and you are talking nonsense.

When Soludo and another SE governor bulldozing properties where are these SE group?

I hate this nonsense and blame SW for all these rubbish.

Biko stop this nonsense victim claimant.

Wetin concern south east patriots in this. Lagos state did not go to south east to destroy houses. They only destroy houses that are within their jurisdiction

Igbo nataba obodo gi for Ur own good, developers, develop Ur state . If I have 1 trillion dollars i will invest 999 Billions dollars in my state

I have never seen disrespectful being as this economical refugees, notices to quit the government land have been served for over 5 years, they are more than 5 warnings this year already but always want to double dare the government, thinking your gaslighting Abi victim mentality tactics will work??

villagecraft:
South East Patriots condemns LASG demolition of structures, says Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) is a full-fledged agency of the Federal Ministry

Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

villagecraft:
South East Patriots condemns LASG demolition of structures, says Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) is a full-fledged agency of the Federal Ministry

let them continue deveroping Lagos for us so they can come online to chest beat……i. Don’t know how some Mugu see it as flex to leave their land underdeveloped to come and be boasting of developing another man’s land

EndBuhariNow:
have you ever mould blocks in your miserable life

Not yet. It's on my bucket list. Mold a block. I am looking forward to it

Mpkurummiri group condemns demolition
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