Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, made the remarks on Sunday, November 8, during the Lagos governorship debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium.

During the debate, he accused successive administrations in the state of prioritising wealthy individuals and affluent neighbourhoods at the expense of ordinary residents.

According to him, government policies over the past two decades have largely focused on elite interests, particularly in housing and urban development, leaving many low-income residents struggling with basic needs.

He questioned why Lagos continues to celebrate its impressive internally generated revenue (IGR) figures when many residents are yet to experience meaningful improvements in their living conditions.

“On paper, Lagos celebrates a high IGR, but on the ground, people are not feeling it,” he said.

Rhodes-Vivour also referenced communities such as Makoko, arguing that urban development should not come at the expense of residents who risk losing their homes and livelihoods.

He said his proposed administration would prioritise policies that directly address the challenges facing ordinary Lagosians.

Among the major issues he highlighted were poor waste management, traffic congestion, inadequate healthcare and the shortage of affordable housing.

The ADC candidate also reiterated his proposal to deliver 100,000 housing units as part of efforts to address the state’s housing challenges.

The governorship debate was organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, comprising Channels Television, TVC News, The PUNCH, TheCable and Vanguard.

The discussion provided an opportunity for governorship candidates to present their ideas and proposals on how to address the economic, infrastructural and social challenges facing Lagos State.