Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has accused the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration of disobeying court orders and carrying out “anti-poor” demolitions in the Oworonshoki area of the state.
He said the ongoing demolitions were unlawful, poorly planned, and showed a clear lack of empathy for the people affected.
Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, Rhodes-Vivour claimed that the exercise had thrown several long-term residents into hardship.
According to him, the operation violates a court judgment that restrained the Lagos State government from demolishing structures in the community.
“There is absolute lawlessness because there’s a judgment,” he said. “If the state wants the citizenry to respect the rule of law, they must show that example that they also subject themselves to the rule of law.”
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the demolitions, which started almost two weeks ago, have left many families homeless. Several residents said that their houses were pulled down late at night without prior notice.
Rhodes-Vivour criticised the process, describing it as a “charade,” and alleged that only a few people were compensated while most victims were left stranded.
“You see a process that is not properly planned. You see a process that does not have any empathy associated with it,” he said.
He argued that a proper urban renewal programme should begin with the local government and include open consultations with affected communities.
“Surely, if you have a proper plan, it will start at the local government level where interactions will be done with these communities,” he added.
The former LP candidate accused the government of prioritising the interests of rich developers over the welfare of the poor. “We cannot constantly be pushing people aside for development,” he said. “Where is the intentionality to house the poor that cannot afford to live in N150 million flats or townhouses?”
He called on the state to explore inclusive housing options, stressing that development should not exclude the working class. “There can be beauty in low-cost housing. There can be beauty in that intentionality,” he noted.
Rhodes-Vivour further blamed the relevant agencies for allowing illegal buildings to rise unchecked, only to punish residents later for the government’s negligence.
“When a government has sat back and a building has gone all the way to the roof, and they don’t punish themselves for that neglect, why is it always the citizen that pays the price for their incompetence? That is very wrong,” he said.
On compensation, he said the amounts offered to displaced residents were not enough to secure decent accommodation in Lagos. “When you’re giving somebody N2 million or N3 million, how long does that last for rent in Lagos?” he asked.
The governorship hopeful concluded by suggesting that revenue from luxury housing developments should be used to finance affordable homes for low-income earners.
