In response to Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour's worries on the state's environmental challenges, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has been scolded by the Labour Party's gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 Lagos State governorship elections. Rhodes-Vivour reportedly tweeted a video of a canal that was overrun with weeds on Saturday, emphasising the need to clear the area so water could flow freely, as reported by Arise News.
As a reply, Wahab had omitted the phrase, "Eventually, you will be fine." Rhodes-Vivour was dissatisfied with Wahab's remark and felt the Commissioner's answer demonstrated a disregard for the environmental problems facing the state. In Rhodes-Vivour's view, the administration was more concerned with protecting its own wealth than it was with helping the people. He used previous reactions from President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu to illustrate his point. He stressed that he will keep pressing the government to improve conditions in Lagos State.
According to him, it's unfortunate that they now have to act as though they care. And this starts from the top. I mean, when we were all fretting over the South-West massacres, President Tinubu went and inquired about the whereabouts of the cows. "He told us to get over it when we were worrying about the 120 bodies, EndSARS, and trying to get Sanwo-Olu to explain it. As a result, I take the Commissioner at his word that I will be OK in the end. Lagos is less than ideal. This attitude that says everything will be alright makes us feel like an afterthought.
Regrettably, that is now something they must address. I will tell the Commissioner this: I am not leaving until we create a Lagos that serves the needs of all its citizens. When asked whether he thought the Commissioner's response was driven by politics, Rhodes-Vivour denied the accusation, explaining that he was only highlighting the importance of the Commissioner carrying out his duties. He insisted that cleaning up the canal was an essential civic duty and not a matter of politics.