Ezekwesili slams Makoko demolitions, alleges class cleansing, land grab
Former Minister of Education and founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), Obiageli Ezekwesili, has condemned the demolition of homes in Makoko, accusing the Lagos State Government of carrying out what she described as “class cleansing” and land grabbing.
In an open memorandum dated 19 January and addressed to President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ezekwesili described the demolitions as unconstitutional, unjust and an example of state-sanctioned oppression of the poor. She argued that the exercise violated the rights of Makoko residents, insisting that poverty does not invalidate citizenship.
Ezekwesili said residents of Makoko were not squatters but Nigerian citizens who work, raise families and participate in elections. “Many are sleeping in the open, exposed to rain, heat, disease, violence, and hunger. Children have been pulled out of school. Livelihoods have been destroyed overnight,” she said.
She accused the Lagos State Government of breaching earlier agreements with community leaders, who were reportedly informed that demolitions would be limited to structures within 30 to 50 metres of high-tension power lines. According to her, the exercise extended far beyond those limits, with human rights monitors reporting demolitions ranging between 277 and 522 metres from the power lines.
Describing the exercise as a breach of trust and legality, Ezekwesili likened it to a land grab and cited reports that at least four people were killed during the demolitions. She said the actions were not driven by safety or urban development concerns but by what she termed a deliberate targeting of the poor.
She warned that the demolitions had triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands of families homeless and exposed to harsh conditions. According to her, many residents were forced to sleep in the open, while children were withdrawn from school and sources of income wiped out overnight.
Ezekwesili called for an immediate halt to the demolitions, transparency on the legal standards guiding power-line setbacks, emergency shelter and healthcare for displaced residents, compensation, and a community-driven process for long-term solutions. She also demanded accountability for the use of force against civilians.
According to her, Lagos’ aspiration to be a respected mega-city depends on inclusive planning that prioritises secure housing, basic services and livelihoods for all residents. She warned political leaders that criminalising poverty while celebrating wealth undermines the nation’s moral standing and called for urgent action to address the plight of affected families in Makoko.
