Government-sanctioned Marginalization of Makoko's Residents and the Erosion of Their Constitutional Rights

The situation in Makoko represents a stark violation of both constitutional and moral principles, particularly concerning the residents who have been forcibly displaced. This immediate crisis demands urgent action from the state, and any inaction or delay from the Federal Government to offer support effectively becomes an endorsement of the suffering incurred by these vulnerable individuals. It is unacceptable for a government to induce homelessness while attributing the cause to bureaucratic hurdles.

This memorandum advocates for the rights enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, emphasizing the humanity and dignity of Makoko's poorest citizens.

Mr. President, Mr. Governor, I pose a series of critical inquiries:

1\. Do the economically disadvantaged hold any rights to urban living, or is it a privilege solely reserved for the affluent?

2\. Is Lagos truly a collective assets of its citizenry, or merely a commercial hub where land value takes precedence over human worth?

3\. Does the democratic framework of Nigeria protect every citizen, or merely those who possess resources?

History will judge not by the eloquence of your words but through your actions which resonate in the wake of this crisis.

It’s essential to recognize that residents of Makoko are not mere trespassers; they are bona fide citizens of Nigeria. They are targeted by political factions during election cycles, sustaining families and contributing to the local economy through various means, from fishing to informal trades. Their children, many of whom display great intelligence, are now facing interruptions in their education.

Yet, for years, the residents of Makoko have been treated as though their poverty negates their rights as citizens.

This document also stands as a voice for the youth of Makoko who find themselves sleeping outdoors, for mothers left with scant belongings, and for the nation that must reckon with the reality that poverty, largely driven by ineffective governance, should not result in criminalizing those affected and questioning the very essence of justice.

An alarming reality has surfaced following the brutal demolition of homes situated more than 100 meters from power lines in Makoko. The blatant injustice inflicted upon the victims of these demolitions deserves unanimous condemnation. This systematic state-sanctioned eviction in Makoko warrants an immediate end due to its unjust and unconstitutional basis. The displacement of Makoko residents lacks moral justification.

This incident is not about securing public safety nor fostering urban advancement. Instead, it encapsulates a broader function: class-based cleansing to eliminate the visibility of the poor from the affluent's purview. Reports indicate that previous engagements with Makoko’s leadership by Lagos State officials claimed that the demolitions would adhere strictly to safety distances of 30 to 50 meters from high-tension power lines, framed as a targeted intervention aligned with planning codes.

Community leaders extended their cooperation based on this assurance. However, the turn of events constitutes a blatant breach of trust and legality. Despite legal stipulations permitting demolition up to 30 to 50 meters, actions have reached far beyond this threshold, adversely affecting homes, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and various livelihoods connected to the community.

Human rights observers have reported clearings extending from 277 to 522 meters from these power lines, shocking distances surpassing initial communications.

The implications of government-induced homelessness incite a humanitarian crisis in Makoko, with thousands of families—including men, women, children, and vulnerable persons—now facing dire living conditions. The deployment of security forces against impoverished civilians merely existing on valuable land, has resulted in many being forced to endure the elements without shelter, suffering from exposure to rain, heat, disease, violence, and hunger.

Governments that modify rules during an ongoing process to extend demolition scopes without adequate notification, are not upholding the law but are engaging in gross power abuse.

The evidence leads to the inevitable conclusion: there has been a blatant land confiscation from the most marginalized by a predatory political elite wielding state power. In historical context, this reflects the biblical account of Naboth, whose life was taken by King Ahab for his land. In a similar vein, reports suggest that at least four individuals, some lifelong residents of Makoko, have died amid this orchestrated land theft.

With the severe destruction of homes in Makoko, it is apparent that the Nigerian State is acting outside any semblance of legitimacy, using bureaucratic expediency as a tool to strip the impoverished of their basic rights.

Pretending to prioritize safety, the Lagos State Government, with apparent collusion from federal authorities in Abuja, is coercing thousands into homelessness through bulldozings executed under the guise of development, safety, and urban order—all without regard for human dignity or lawful adherence.

This situation in Makoko transcends mere urban planning disputes; it represents a blatant constitutional failure regarding due process, transparency, and proper governance.

Historically, justifications for demolitions in Makoko revolved around 'urban renewal' or 'megacity ambitions,' revealing a troubling governance mindset that perceives development as something imposed upon the poor rather than a collaborative process. It perpetuates a narrative that views the city as a domain for the affluent while the impoverished are considered disposable.

A government failing to collaborate with its neediest citizens yet successfully bulldozing their lives has fundamentally lost its leadership credentials.

Global best practices reject forced evictions. My experience as a former World Bank Vice President overseeing numerous African nations highlighted the necessity for countries receiving urban infrastructure financing to present extensive plans conforming to international standards covering human rights considerations in scenarios akin to Makoko.

The path for Lagos to establish its reputation as a genuine mega-city lies in fostering an inclusive city atmosphere. This entails investments in in-situ upgrading, secured property rights, sanitation, educational systems, and job opportunities. Repeated proposals from Makoko’s residents and civil society organizations advocating for these solutions have been continually disregarded by authorities.

Tragically, the impoverished inhabitants of Makoko have been abruptly burdened with the consequences of urban aspirations. This recent wave of demolitions elicits a critical question: What value does citizenship hold if the state has the authority to raze your home and leave you destitute?

This self-inflicted homelessness crisis signifies an acute humanitarian disaster for thousands of families now stripped of shelter by these demolitions. Security forces are being deployed to confront civilians whose only fault is their visibility in privileged areas. Daily hardships, including educational disruptions and the obliteration of livelihoods, are the stark realities faced.

The plight of the evicted Makoko residents is a matter of both constitutional and ethical concern, necessitating obligatory care by the state. Thus, the continued apathy or procrastination by the Federal Government amidst this crisis is tantamount to endorsing their hardship.

Even when governments carry out lawful land acquisitions or implement planning policies, international norms and fundamental civility stipulate obligations for the immediate provision of emergency housing, sanitation, access to food, and protection for displaced individuals. To demolish residences while offering no alternative accommodations is not just insensible; it is both inhumane and illegal.

Governments cannot fabricate homelessness and then evade accountability with claims of bureaucratic delays. By letting citizens remain homeless post-state action, the government undermines the very principles enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, such as the dignity of individuals, the right to fair adjudication, and the government's obligation to uphold social justice— irrespective of the narrative framed around these actions. The ongoing patterns of unauthorized demolitions and forced relocations within Makoko violate these constitutional assurances.

As a citizen of Nigeria, I put forth several clarion calls aimed at rectifying the injustices perpetrated against the people of Makoko:

1\. An immediate cessation of all demolition and evictions in the Makoko area.

2\. Public transparency regarding the legal parameters governing the specified safety limits from power lines, as well as the authority used to exceed 50 meters in demolitions.

3\. Prompt accessibility to temporary housing solutions for displaced families, including safe shelter, water supply, sanitation, health services, and adequate protection for vulnerable groups.

4\. Compensation and support for livelihood restoration for those who have suffered dislocation.

5\. An open and inclusive dialogue for long-term resolutions developed in collaboration with the residents, focusing on secure tenure, access to essential services, and the preservation of livelihoods through in-situ rehabilitation instead of mass evictions.

6\. Accountability mechanisms for previous transgressions, including the use of force against civilians and those officials who sanctioned demolitions outside governmental boundaries.

I wish to issue a measured warning to politicians, both active and former, that a society that neglects competent governance while demonizing poverty, in contrast to revering wealth, is gravely misaligned with its ethical obligations.

The Nigerian Government cannot hope to eradicate the problems faced by the impoverished by confiscating their properties and causing harm.

This beleaguered nation, home to over 133 million individuals living in multidimensional poverty (exceeding 60% of our populace, according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics), can never garner respect while abandoning those who form its true foundation to satisfy the whims of elite status seekers.

Given the staggering statistics surrounding poverty, how many more citizens, Mr. President and Mr. Governor, can your administrations displace, harm, or conceal out of sight?

I implore you both to reflect deeply on this and prioritize doing justice to the majority of impoverished citizens.

Commence with the anguished children of Makoko and their families.

The situation is critically urgent.