By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Citizens Pay The Price : Rhodes-Vivour Condemns Lagos Over “Lawless” House Demolitions
Former Lagos governorship candidate and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has launched a blistering attack on the Lagos State Government over its ongoing demolitions in the Oworonshoki community, describing the exercise as “lawless, anti-poor, and devoid of empathy.”
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Rhodes-Vivour accused the government of violating court orders that restrained demolitions in the area, saying the operations exposed a deep disregard for the rule of law and the suffering of ordinary citizens.
“There is absolute lawlessness because there’s a judgement,” he said. “If the state wants the citizenry to respect the rule of law, they must first show by example that they also subject themselves to it.”
According to Rhodes-Vivour, the demolitions—ongoing for nearly two weeks—have displaced families who have lived in the community for over a decade. He said many of the demolitions were carried out at night with little or no prior notice, leaving residents in shock and despair.
“What you see with this process is not just poor planning, but complete disregard for human dignity,” he lamented. “Only a handful of people have received compensation, while the majority have been left stranded, watching their homes and livelihoods reduced to rubble.”
Rhodes-Vivour argued that development projects in Lagos often serve the interests of wealthy developers and investors at the expense of the urban poor. He stressed that any legitimate redevelopment plan should begin with proper consultation, planning, and compensation through local government structures.
“Surely, if you have a proper plan, it will start at the local government level,” he said. “There should be proposals for relocation, discussions with the affected people, and payment of compensation before any demolition begins. That’s how humane governance works.”
He also condemned the recurring pattern in Lagos where demolitions in low-income neighborhoods pave the way for luxury estates and commercial projects that ordinary residents can never afford. “We cannot keep pushing people aside for development. Where is the intentionality to house the poor—the people who serve as the workforce that powers this city?”
Drawing comparisons with social housing systems in developed countries, Rhodes-Vivour urged the Lagos government to pursue inclusive housing policies, where both low- and high-income earners can coexist within planned urban areas. “There can be beauty in low-cost housing,” he said. “Development doesn’t have to exclude the poor; it should include everyone.”
Addressing claims that the demolitions disproportionately affect certain ethnic or social groups, he said there was truth in those concerns. “These are clearly anti-poor policies. The destruction affects the most vulnerable while benefiting the wealthy and well-connected.”
Rhodes-Vivour further accused the government of hypocrisy for allowing illegal structures to rise unchecked, only to punish residents later. “When a government sits back and lets a building go all the way to the roof without approvals, and then suddenly demolishes it years later, who really failed? Why must citizens always pay the price for government negligence?”
He faulted the compensation scheme, noting that the funds being offered were insufficient to secure alternative housing in Lagos’s expensive rental market. “When you’re giving someone two or three million naira, how far does that go in Lagos? Rent, agent fees, and moving costs already eat that up. It’s not real compensation—it’s an insult.”
Looking ahead, Rhodes-Vivour said Lagos must rethink its urban development model by creating funding mechanisms that directly support affordable housing, such as imposing taxes on luxury projects to subsidise homes for the poor. “Those funds should be used to build low-cost housing so that development serves everyone, not just the elite.”
Reaffirming his political ambitions, Rhodes-Vivour concluded by stating his resolve to continue advocating for justice, fairness, and inclusive governance. When asked if he would contest again in 2027, he responded confidently: “By God’s grace, yes, sir.”
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