Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the 2027 Lagos election, has criticised successive state administrations over what he described as the failure to translate Lagos’ high internally generated revenue (IGR) into tangible benefits for ordinary residents.
Rhodes-Vivour made the remarks on Sunday during a governorship debate organised in Lagos by a consortium of media organisations, including TheCable.
He argued that government policies over the past two decades had largely favoured wealthy residents at the expense of low-income earners and vulnerable communities.
According to him, the state’s housing policies, particularly those implemented through the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), have concentrated on highbrow neighbourhoods while doing little to address the housing needs of poorer residents.
He also cited the demolition of homes in Makoko, despite previous political assurances to residents, as an example of government policies that have failed to protect vulnerable communities.
The ADC candidate argued that private-sector developments replacing some of these communities remained beyond the reach of most Lagos residents.
He said the situation exposed the disconnect between the state’s impressive revenue figures and the living conditions of its population.
Rhodes-Vivour pledged that his administration would prioritise affordable housing and policies designed to improve the welfare of struggling residents.
He proposed the construction of more than 100,000 housing units, with a transparent allocation system to prevent individuals from acquiring multiple properties at the expense of other applicants.
He also advocated a progressive housing model that would enable residents to move into larger homes as their income and family circumstances improved.
Under the proposed arrangement, young graduates could initially occupy self-contained apartments, move into two-bedroom homes after marriage and eventually qualify for three-bedroom accommodation as their families expand.
He explained that the system would incorporate a credit or points-based mechanism through which residents could build financial entitlements over time and eventually use them towards securing mortgages.
Rhodes-Vivour said the proposal would make housing more accessible while helping residents build long-term financial capacity.