It was disheartening when properties and goods worth millions of Naira was destroyed at the Jakande Housing Estate, Ilasan Lekki Lagos. Residents were said to have been informed to quit the area, siting the Coastal road from Lekki as the reason. However the information on demolition came as a mere rumour until the occupants of the properties were taken unawares.
One of those affected in the demolition exercise is someone who has done so much for Ilasan community, Rotran Emmanuel Ishado. While he was the president of the Rotary Club of Ikate, Rotran Emmanuel Ishado carried out several projects as part of the Rotary Club humanitarian work. These projects include donation to schools,visit to old people's home with relief materials, community health and sanitization exercises, Tree planting exercises in secondary schools, provision of borehole water which the Ilasan community benefited from, to mention but few.
The properties occupied by the Ishados which were affected by the demolition include:
A Flat Building, a detached Bungalow of 3 Bedroom apartment, a business shop, Topsy Supplies/ Ventures, D'gteens Cafe.
Although the demolition was said to be due to the distance between the site and Lekki Coastal road, yet the space is estimated about 800 metres, 1 Kilometer. This makes the reason given for the demolition questionable.
The affected persons including Rotran Emmanuel Ishado and family believe that the demolition was politically motivated. This was because majority of the residents in the community voted against the ruling APC party in the 2023 presidential election. For this they were threatened with demolition after the votes in the community were counted in favour of the Labour and the presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Rotran Emmanuel Ishado is believed to have played a major role in carrying out a door to door campaign for Peter Obi, using his influence as the Rotary Club president. They believed that he influenced the people to vote the Labour party with the provision of borehole water, gaining popularity due to his good leadership. No doubt the people believed him to vote Peter Obi for good governance. His immense contribution in bringing developmental projects which are beneficial to the community made it possible for him to influence large trusting followers to vote for the Labour party. In one of the borehole water projects, Rotran Emmanuel Ishado collaborated with the CEO of Love Water, Naomi Foundation.
The demolition is indeed a sad occurance at the Jakande Housing Estate, Ilasan Lekki community, allegedly victimizing residents for political reasons.
