3 reasons Ambode should honour court order on Otodo Gbame evictions
A Lagos State High Court has ruled that the Lagos State Government was unjust in its forceful eviction of Otodo Gbame waterfront settlers.
The judge, in his ruling on Wednesday, said it “will be wrong for them to be forcibly evicted from a place they have been in for several years.”
Here are three reasons Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode should follow court orders and provide alternative abodes for the evicted residents.
1. It is a court order
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if Ambode’s government decides to appeal the ruling, or ignore the court order totally.
Several government arms in Nigeria are notorious for flouting court orders when judgement don’t go their way.
It would, however, be honourable of the governor if he accepts the ruling and make corrections.
2. It is a dent on Lagos’ Mega City ambition
Ambode has been commended from nearly all quarters for envisioning and commencing what would be a world-standard outlook for the state.
But a city can’t totally boast of such achievement if the minority are left in the lurch.
Simply put, a Mega City can’t be achieved if the masses are made to suffer – and Otodo Gbame residents are very much part of the masses.
3. It is the humane thing to do
Court orders, politics, and interests aside, there is no way a government should be so cold-hearted to the plights of the waterfront settlers.
Old, young, women, men, infants, aged, sick, were all left at the mercy of the sea following the brutal evictions a month ago. Many died.
Many of the settlers rely solely on proceeds from their primary jobs – fish farming.
No government, or human, should be able to close its eyes to such helplessness by its citizens – regardless of whether its actions are wrong or right.
Governor Ambode, please hearken to the people’s cry.
