The Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has criticised successive administrations in the state, accusing them of prioritising the interests of wealthy residents at the expense of ordinary Lagosians.
Rhodes-Vivour made the criticism on Sunday during a governorship debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium in Lagos, where he presented his plans to tackle some of the major challenges facing the state.
The ADC candidate argued that successive governments over the past 20 years had focused more on policies that favoured the wealthy, particularly in housing and urban development, while neglecting the needs of low-income earners.
He specifically cited the situation in Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos, alleging that some urban renewal initiatives had threatened the homes and livelihoods of residents.
Rhodes-Vivour also questioned the benefits of Lagos State’s increasing internally generated revenue (IGR), insisting that the growth in government revenue had not translated into improved living conditions for ordinary residents.
According to him, although Lagos continues to record impressive revenue figures, many residents are yet to experience meaningful improvements in their daily lives.
“Lagos government, in the last 20 years, has focused on elite policies, eyebrow areas for housing. That’s why on paper, Lagos celebrates a high IGR, but on the ground, people are not feeling it. We would focus on people, our policies are tailored towards that,” he said.
He explained that his proposed administration would prioritise people-oriented policies designed to address the everyday challenges confronting residents across the state.
The ADC governorship candidate identified waste management, traffic congestion, inadequate healthcare services and the shortage of affordable housing as key areas requiring urgent attention.
He maintained that his political ambition was driven by the need to provide practical solutions to the problems affecting Lagos residents rather than pursuing policies that primarily benefit the wealthy.
“My manifesto has always stood with the people, putting the interest of the people first. I have that track record. We’re bringing solution thinking to the problems of Lagos State, waste management, traffic, healthcare, housing,” he added.
Rhodes-Vivour further reiterated his commitment to providing 100,000 housing units if elected governor, saying the proposal was part of his broader strategy to address the state’s housing deficit and make accommodation more accessible to ordinary residents.
He pledged that an ADC-led government would introduce policies that place the welfare of Lagosians at the centre of governance.
The debate was organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, a coalition comprising The PUNCH, Channels Television, TVC News, TheCable and Vanguard.
Lagos State continues to face challenges involving affordable housing, traffic congestion, urban development and access to basic services as its population and urban centres continue to expand.
The Makoko waterfront community has also remained a major subject of public debate over urban renewal projects, demolitions, possible displacement and the protection of residents’ rights.
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