Igwe Chukwuemeka Ugwuta has accused Lagos State authorities of ethnic bias in the execution of demolition exercises, alleging that Igbo-owned properties are being specifically targeted while others remain untouched.
In a candid interview on Signature TV from 6:59, the traditional ruler pointed to Trade Fair as a prime example of what he describes as discriminatory practices. “When you go to the other side of Trade Fair, you will see Yoruba properties here and there, nobody penetrated those areas. But within that area where Igbo people are trying to survive, that is where you see political marginalization,” Igwe Ugwuta stated.
The allegations suggest a pattern of selective enforcement during demolition exercises in the bustling commercial district. Trade Fair Complex and its surrounding areas represent one of Lagos’s most important commercial hubs, hosting thousands of businesses and traders from various ethnic backgrounds, with a significant concentration of Igbo entrepreneurs.
Igwe Ugwuta’s comments frame the issue as more than just urban planning, characterizing it as “political marginalization” of the Igbo community in Lagos. His use of the phrase “trying to survive” underscores the economic stakes involved, as many affected property owners depend on these locations for their livelihoods.
The accusations raise serious questions about fairness and transparency in how Lagos State implements its urban development policies. If properties in certain areas are exempted from demolition while others face destruction, it would suggest inconsistent application of planning regulations.
Such allegations could potentially strain inter-ethnic relations in Lagos, a city that has historically prided itself on being a melting pot of Nigerian cultures. The Igbo community represents a substantial demographic and economic force in Lagos, with extensive investments in real estate and commerce. See, More, Here>>>
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