Rhodes-Vivour slams Lagos demolitions, urges empathy

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has criticised the ongoing demolitions in the Oworonshoki area of the state, describing the exercise as poorly planned and lacking empathy for affected residents.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, Rhodes-Vivour said the Lagos state Government must adhere to the rule of law in carrying out urban renewal projects, warning that arbitrary demolitions discourage investment and deepen public distrust.

“There is absolute lawlessness because there’s a judgment. If the state wants the citizenry to respect the rule of law, it must show that example that it also subjects itself to the rule of law.

”You see a process that is not properly planned. You see a process that does not have any empathy associated with it. What you see with this charade of payments is that a small group of people are selected, and the majority of residents remain uncompensated.

“The Lagos State Government must follow the rule of law to encourage investments. Midnight demolitions without notice, destroying buildings and belongings, show a lack of empathy,” he said.

He also described the compensation process for displaced residents as “a charade,” accusing the government of pursuing policies that favour the wealthy while neglecting the poor majority.

“Lagos’ approach appears intentional in housing the rich, while neglecting the needs of 75% of its poor residents.

Rhodes-Vivour emphasised the importance of proper planning for relocations and compensation, saying that all development should begin at the local government level with full engagement of affected communities.

“Surely, if you have a proper plan, right, it will start at the local government level, where interactions will be done with these communities.

“There should be a proper proposal for how they will move these people. Where are they being moved to? Where are these people who have lived here for so long going to be relocated to? All these will be done with conversations, payments made before these demolitions start to happen,” he added.

Rhodes-Vivour urged the government to adopt a more transparent and humane approach to urban renewal, saying genuine development should not come at the cost of people’s homes and livelihoods.

The Lagos State Government, in September, began a demolition exercise in the Coker and Ojulari areas of Oworonshoki, citing illegal constructions along drainage channels and right-of-way violations.

The demolition is being carried out by the Lagos State Department responsible for Urban Development and Planning in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (known as Task Force).

The operation, which started late at night, left many residents displaced and without prior notice, sparking widespread criticism from civil society groups and community leaders.

Aggrieved residents of Oworonshoki protested the September demolition by blocking the Third Mainland Bridge.

On October 17, 2025, another group staged a rally at the entrance of the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding compensation and an end to house demolitions.

The government has defended the demolitions several times, insisting that building permits must be obtained before the erection of structures, in accordance with the state laws.

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