A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has alleged that about 80 per cent of Lagos residents now live in poverty, blaming the situation on what he termed exclusionary development policies of the state government.

Speaking on ARISE News Channel, Rhodes-Vivour condemned the recent demolition of structures at Jakande Estate, describing the exercise as unlawful and anti-poor. He argued that the approach to urban renewal in the state had consistently neglected the welfare of ordinary citizens.

The former Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 election said he witnessed acts of brutality when he visited the demolition site at Ilasan. According to him, officials of a state task force assaulted residents and disregarded due process.

“I went to Ilasan and saw first-hand the brutality. In front of me, they beat a man to coma. The task force threatened to beat me and started assaulting people around me mercilessly,” he alleged.

He also claimed that an engineer identified as Umaru was detained for three days and physically abused, adding that tear gas was fired during the operation.

“This is the violence that has come to define this government. When a government refuses to obey court injunctions, that is lawlessness,” he said.

While acknowledging the government’s promise to compensate affected residents, Rhodes-Vivour dismissed the proposed N11.2 million payment as unrealistic.

“N11.2 million cannot buy a two- or three-bedroom apartment in that area today. It is grossly inadequate,” he stated.

He accused the authorities of misapplying Section 28 of the Land Use Act to dispossess citizens in favour of private interests.

“The law permits acquisition for overriding public interest, but what we are seeing is land taken for private individuals who will build more expensive houses,” he said.

According to him, the demolition will aggravate homelessness and deepen the cost-of-living crisis in Lagos.

“You now have many young men roaming the streets without shelter. Development here is constantly at the exclusion of the poor,” he lamented.

He noted that several residents of Jakande Estate had lived in the community for over 20 years with valid title documents.

“You destroy their properties, inflict violence on them and offer unfair compensation. Where are they expected to go?” he asked.

Rhodes-Vivour insisted he was not opposed to development but maintained that it must be humane and inclusive.

“To afford N11.2 million rent, a person must earn close to N2 million monthly. How many Lagosians earn that amount?” he queried, warning that growth without justice would continue to alienate the majority of residents.