African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has promised to build 100,000 housing units and finish the state rail system during his first four years in office if he wins the 2027 election.
Rhodes-Vivour made the commitments while presenting his agenda at the Lagos governorship debate on Sunday, where he called for a cleaner, safer and more affordable state that works for all residents.
He said Lagos had suffered from poor governance for more than two decades, arguing that development policies had largely favoured a privileged few at the expense of ordinary residents.
“We want a cleaner Lagos. We want a safer Lagos. We want a more affordable Lagos. I want a Lagos that works for everybody, not just the privileged few,” he said.
The ADC candidate said his approach would be based on urban planning and integrated solutions, stressing that challenges such as waste management, housing, traffic, healthcare and education were interconnected.
On housing, Rhodes-Vivour said his administration would deliver 100,000 units in its first four years, with funding partly generated through a proposed luxury tax to support social housing.
He also identified development of the eastern foreshore and Ibeju-Lekki areas as part of efforts to decentralise growth and expand access to affordable homes across the state.
On transportation, he promised to connect Lagos rail lines and extend the network across the state within two and a half years.
He said the project would adopt a private-sector-driven approach, which he described as transparent, equitable and cost-effective for residents.
Rhodes-Vivour also criticised the use of public land and school facilities for projects he said prioritised housing for wealthy residents, citing concerns over the alleged takeover of primary school sites by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation.
On security, he proposed ward-level skills acquisition programmes for young people, saying the initiative would help tackle aggression and improve public safety.
He further pledged to address flooding through a climate-resilient development policy, including wetland protection measures to prevent indiscriminate sand-filling and development.
The candidate said his administration would explore new technologies and urban designs that allow water to follow its natural course while enabling residents to live safely alongside it.
Rhodes-Vivour said his record of activism and commitment to placing public interest above personal ambition informed his decision to seek the governorship.
What You Should Know
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour presented his strategic agenda during the Lagos governorship debate, detailing plans to tackle critical urban challenges through comprehensive city planning and infrastructure development.
- Potential Benefits: Residents could experience improved public transportation, better access to affordable housing, and cleaner urban areas through proposed luxury taxes funding social housing.
- Challenges: Achieving these ambitious projects within a short timeframe will require massive private-sector investment and strict regulatory oversight to avoid past failures in public land management.
