Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has strongly criticised the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for its ongoing demolitions in Oworonshoki, calling the exercise “lawless, unplanned, and lacking empathy.”
Rhodes-Vivour accused the state government of ignoring valid court orders that had restrained the demolitions, saying the move again exposes Lagos’ pattern of disregarding the rights of low-income residents in favour of elite developers and investors.
Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, the 28th of October, 2025, expressed frustration that long-time residents were displaced, many at night and without sufficient notice or consultation.
“There is absolute lawlessness because there’s a judgment in place. If the state expects citizens to obey the law, it must also show that it is subject to that same law,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
He described the process as a “charade,” claiming the compensation plan was selective and poorly managed.
“What we see is not a coordinated or humane process. Only a few people have been compensated, while the majority remain stranded without support,” he alleged.
According to him, genuine urban renewal should start with proper local government consultations that ensure affected residents are engaged, relocated, and compensated before any demolition begins.
“If there was a real plan, it would start with community engagement. People should know where they’re being moved to, and payments should come before demolitions, not after,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour faulted Lagos’ urban development policies, which he said continue to show a clear bias against the poor, as communities are cleared for luxury housing projects.
“We cannot keep pushing people out for the sake of development,” he said. “Where is the plan to house those who power the city’s economy but can’t afford N150 million apartments?”
He urged the government to promote inclusive growth by investing in social housing schemes that accommodate all income levels, saying affordable homes can still reflect quality and dignity.
“Nobody is opposed to progress, but development should not come at the expense of the poor. There can be beauty in affordable housing if there’s genuine intent,” he added.
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Rhodes-Vivour further labelled the Oworonshoki demolitions as part of a string of “anti-poor policies” that punish the vulnerable while protecting those responsible for enforcement lapses.
“When a building goes up illegally, government agencies that allowed it to reach the roof level should also be held accountable,” he said. “Why must ordinary citizens always pay the price for government incompetence?”
He dismissed claims of fair compensation, arguing that the amounts given could not sustain displaced families in Lagos’ costly rental market.
“When you offer someone N2 million or N3 million, that barely covers rent for a year,” he said. “After paying agents and other costs, what happens next?”
Rhodes-Vivour suggested that part of the revenue from luxury property developments be channelled into affordable housing projects to create a fairer urban balance.
“Funds from high-end real estate should be used to develop low-cost housing,” he said. “That’s how you take care of both the rich and the people who keep the city running,” he said.