Former Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has criticised the recent demolition of structures in the Makoko waterfront community, describing the actions as a violation of residents’ rights and calling for “consultation and inclusive design” in urban renewal projects.
In a video posted on his X account on Tuesday, Rhodes-Vivour stressed the need to protect the livelihoods of the community’s residents.
“No matter what local government it is, because we all need each other. And in this case, we need justice for poor Makoko,” he said.
He urged authorities to explore alternatives such as resettlement and upskilling rather than using “brute force” to remove residents. “Consultation and inclusive design that allows for development that also preserves the footprint of that old indigenous community, not erasing them completely.
“That upskills residents so that they can operate along other lines of the value chain that they are currently in before relocating them because their livelihood is tied to where they live,” Rhodes-Vivour added.
The former gubernatorial candidate also suggested building more densely designed housing with adequate amenities to accommodate residents without displacing them.
“So instead of spreading flat horizontally, they can go up. We must know that Makoko does not need our pity now. What Makoko needs is justice,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour criticised the use of public power for private gains, stating, “Public power must never be used to serve private greed at the detriment of people who the governor is sworn to nurture and protect and to create an enabling environment for their dreams to come to life.
“The people of Makoko deserve more than silence. They deserve to be seen, they deserve to be heard and they deserve the full protection of the law.
“I’ll continue to speak for them and stand by them because the Lagos that abandons its most vulnerable is the Lagos that has lost its soul… That is not the Lagos that we deserve,” he said.
PUNCH Online could not independently verify his allegation that a luxury project is planned on the affected Makoko site according to the politician in the video.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has defended the demolitions, citing public safety concerns. Speaking after signing the N4.4tn 2026 appropriation bill, the governor said the action was necessary to prevent tragedy, particularly in areas under high-tension power lines.
“The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded. It’s a similar thing we’re doing in Makoko. Of what interest would it be for the government to demolish anyone’s structure if not for the overall safety of citizens?” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that some structures had encroached dangerously on the Third Mainland Bridge and warned that NGOs lobbying against the demolitions had other interests.
“We’ve been on this for two and a half years and have held meetings with them. We cannot fold our arms and allow calamity to happen,” he added.
The governor further assured that palliative measures were being rolled out for affected residents. “I’ve instructed both the local government and the relevant ministries to see how they can provide additional support, palliatives, relocation options, and grants for some of these people, just to show compassion,” he said.
Rights groups have also expressed concern over the demolitions. The Foundation for Peace Professionals, in a statement signed by Executive Director Abdulrazaq Hamzat, called the demolition “inhumane and potentially destabilising.”
“Women and children were the most affected. Urban development must not be pursued through shock enforcement. When planning intervention produces homelessness overnight, it ceases to be development and becomes displacement,” the organisation said.
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront community in Lagos, has long faced the threat of demolition due to its informal status and proximity to key urban infrastructure. Previous exercises in waterfront settlements across Lagos have drawn criticism over lack of resettlement plans and the impact on livelihoods.