The Lagos State Chapter of the Labour Party has strongly condemned the ongoing demolition exercise in Oworonshoki. According to the press statement made by the state publicity secretary, Adeola Onikoyi Esq, the party is calling on the Lagos State government to halt the demolitions and ensure alternative settlements are made available for the displaced.
See the press statement below:
HUMANS NOT OBJECTS: LAGOS LABOUR CONDEMNS OWORONSHOKI DEMOLITIONS
The Lagos Chapter of the Labour Party unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms, the ongoing illegal demolition exercises in the Coker area of Oworonshoki, Kosofe Local Government Area.
We are shocked and outraged by this brazen act of Illegality as it has been reported that this action was executed without adherence to due process, legal frameworks, or basic human decency.
The Lagos Chapter of Labour Party stands firmly with the displaced residents and decries the government’s persistent use of brute force in dealing with vulnerable communities. This latest act is yet another grim addition to Lagos’ long history of unlawful demolitions, from the infamous Maroko evictions of the 1990s to the recent displacements in Makoko, Otodo Gbame, and other waterfront communities. Time and again, the Lagos State Government has engaged in these inhumane practices without regard for legal safeguards, further entrenching poverty and suffering among the most vulnerable segments of society.
We remember the Maroko Evictions. The Maroko evictions, which displaced over 300,000 residents, remains a festering scar on Lagos’ conscience—a symbol of governance by brute force rather than justice and this shows a disturbing pattern of how the Government chooses to engage its own citizens.
It is unacceptable that in a democratic society, the government continues to disregard the rule of law and the principles of fairness by rendering thousands of Lagosians homeless overnight, often under the guise of urban renewal. While we recognize the need for infrastructural development, it must be pursued with respect for the rights and dignity of the people. The failure to provide adequate notice, compensation, or relocation alternatives only exacerbates the housing crisis and deepens the economic hardship faced by the displaced residents.
Reports indicate that the demolition was carried out without prior notice, consultation, or the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Victims attest to being given no notice to evacuate before their homes were flattened, in flagrant violation of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Law (2019) and international human rights protocols. Even more egregious are allegations that portions of the cleared land are being earmarked for the Oba’s private use, raising urgent questions about complicity, corruption, and the perversion of traditional institutions for elite exploitation.
The Lagos Labour Party calls on the state government to immediately halt all further demolitions and to take responsibility for those already displaced by providing immediate relief, adequate compensation, and alternative housing solutions. We also urge the state government to adopt a humane and lawful approach to urban planning that prioritizes the welfare of its people rather than treating them as collateral damage in its so-called development agenda. THEY ARE HUMANS, NOT OBJECTS.
We stand with the people of Oworonshoki and all affected communities across Lagos. The Labour Party remains committed to championing policies that put the people first, ensuring that governance in Lagos is driven by justice, accountability, and inclusivity.
Signed,
Adeola Onikoyi Esq
State Publicity Secretary
31/3/2025
