₦airaland Forum

The Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Owodunni, has dismissed outrage over the demolition of homes in Oworonshoki, Lagos State, suggesting that displaced residents would eventually “run to NGOs” for help but gain nothing.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Owodunni argued that residents had “over three years” to secure government approval, yet failed to act.

"We gave you all enough time, over three years. We even announced the need to visit the government for one year on Wazobia FM. We made the announcement in English and Yoruba but none of you went,” he said.

"Only one of you went and got approval.

He said, "Now that the demolition has happened, you are shouting ‘Government, Government.’ Some officials of the government came recently, and you bullied them.

"Some of you are still parading survey plans, but anybody, any nonentity can prepare a survey plan.

"We want development, but things should be done the right away. I know you will run to those NGOs, but they have nothing to offer you. Is this how their own country is? Is this how America, London is? But they come here and start giving you false hope. If that's how their country is, why do you all want to travel there?”

"They will only use you to collect money and promise to help you," he said.

On Saturday, SaharaReporters reported that the Oworo Youths Forum (OYF) strongly condemned the ongoing demolition of houses in Oworonshoki, describing the exercise as a “crime against humanity.”

In a statement issued on Saturday, the group said the demolition began in the early hours of September 6, 2025.

OYF Secretary, Opeyemi Ogunlami, and Public Relations Officer, Towolawi Jamiu signed the statement.

The group alleged that the exercise was part of a larger attack that had been ongoing for more than two years.

"The demolition exercise is a continuation of the attack on Oworoshoki that started in July 2023, where over 1,000 homes have been destroyed and over 30,000 people rendered homeless, including women and children. We condemn this barbaric act outright!” it said.

According to OYF, the demolition was carried out in the middle of the night, with residents subjected to teargas.

"We know that the ruling APC government in Lagos is wicked and heartless, but never knew they could be inhumane to the point of destroying working people's homes in the middle of the night while they are sleeping, including firing teargas cannisters at those who are trying to take pictures and videos," it said.

The forum accused the state government of attempting to displace poor residents for the benefit of the wealthy.

It added that plans were underway to convert Oworoshoki into an elite residential estate.

"There is an ongoing plan to turn Oworoshoki to Elite Villa Estate, and this is being advertised on billboards around Oworoshoki, Victoria Island, and Lekki with a minimum price of N120,000 per square metre or approximately N60M per plot," it said.

treesun:
https://saharareporters.com/2025/09/07/lagos-official-mocks-oworonshoki-demolition-victims-run-ngos-they-have-nothing-offer-you

The demolition exercise is a continuation of the attack on Oworoshoki that started in July 2023, where over 1,000 homes have been destroyed and over 30,000 people rendered homeless, including women and children. We condemn this barbaric act outright!” it said.

Eboofa:
Any person that falls into the trap of the ronu crowd is on his own, rent in Lagos ...build in your state of origin! Nuff said! The evil ones have revealed their hand and intent!

Eboofa:
Any person that falls into the trap of the ronu crowd is on his own, rent in Lagos ...build in your state of origin! Nuff said! The evil ones have revealed their hand and intent!

franchasng:
Can you imagine the wickedness in their hearts?


This is why no state should be ruled by one party for too long.


Dear Yorubas and Lagosians, you guys need to rise up against these impunity of the APC-led government installed by Tinubu.


They now see themselves as god and reason they talk and brag anyhow cos they know that during next election they will use one tribalism line to rally their people to help them remain in power and after election they go back to their inhumane acts and policies.



This is democracy, how can one party continue to rule Lagos state since 1999, for what? Even UK, USA, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, etc that are all developed countries with sensible leaders, no one party remains in power perpetually despite glaring leadership failures



This Lagos insensitive demolition jamboree is enough reason to vote APC out in Lagos to send a strong message to the politicians that power belongs to the people and not to political office holders

AMINDA:
Heartlessness of the highest order. Once its close to election, Tinubu will galvanise them by creating a common enemy out of other tribes in Lagos and tell them they are coming to steal Lagos from them. He did it to Jimi Agbaje and is now doing it to Rhodes-Vivor. It's the strategy he has used to continue to control Lagos for over 20 years and counting.

Hotfreezer:
Igbo man, in Enugu, they demolished houses and shot at those protesting

How many parties have ruled Enugu since 1999?

franchasng:
Enugu's case is different from Lagos in the sense that Enugu's government is not controlled by one man.


Secondly, LP won Enugu during last election but your corrupt Nigerian INEC rigged it and installed a PDP candidate just as they did in Imo state.


If you take away INEC's corruption, take it from me, most of the corrupt failed politicians occupying positions as Governor, Senators, Reps wouldn't exist in Southeast.


They usually use federal government mercenaries to perpetuate themselves in power in the Southeast.


If not for Peter Obi's Tsunami plus that incorruptible Professor that stood her ground that Abia state election will never be rigged when she is in charge, maybe INEC would have installed another failed Governor like Okezie Ikpeazu in Abia and Abia wouldn't have witnessed the level of progress they are witnessing now under Alex Otti.



You guys know all these truths but tribal ha tred won't let you guys stand for the truth

franchasng:
Can you imagine the wickedness in their hearts?


This is why no state should be ruled by one party for too long.


Dear Yorubas and Lagosians, you guys need to rise up against these impunity of the APC-led government installed by Tinubu.


They now see themselves as god and reason they talk and brag anyhow cos they know that during next election they will use one tribalism line to rally their people to help them remain in power and after election they go back to their inhumane acts and policies.



This is democracy, how can one party continue to rule Lagos state since 1999, for what? Even UK, USA, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, etc that are all developed countries with sensible leaders, no one party remains in power perpetually despite glaring leadership failures



This Lagos insensitive demolition jamboree is enough reason to vote APC out in Lagos to send a strong message to the politicians that power belongs to the people and not to political office holders