Tokunbo Wahab responds to Rhodes-Vivour’s remarks on Lagos flooding
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has strongly criticized recent remarks made by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, over the flash floods that affected parts of Lagos. Wahab dismissed Rhodes-Vivour’s statements as “politically motivated” and lacking technical depth.
In a statement released on Thursday, September 26, Wahab said the comments were “simplistic” and appeared more interested in attracting political attention than contributing meaningful solutions to the issue of urban flooding in Lagos.
“While we were busy working on immediate, short, medium, and long-term solutions to the recent flash flooding… my attention was drawn to a simplistic suggestion by Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour—an idea driven more by political correctness and cheap attention-seeking than genuine problem-solving,” Wahab said.
Lagos’ flood challenges compared to other coastal cities
Wahab emphasized that Lagos is a coastal city, comparable to cities like Venice, Amsterdam, Bangkok, and Jakarta, all of which face challenges with flooding due to low-lying geography and proximity to large bodies of water.
He explained that the recent flooding in areas like Lekki was due to a compound environmental event, where heavy rainfall coincided with high tide levels, causing what is known as tide-locking. This phenomenon temporarily prevents drainage systems from functioning effectively, as elevated sea levels block outflows into the lagoon or ocean.
“When the sea level is high, water cannot leave our drains quickly, and streets hold water for a few hours before it recedes,” Wahab explained.
State outlines multi-level flood management strategy
In addressing the situation, Wahab laid out a comprehensive three-part flood control strategy, which includes:
-
Temporary water detention to delay and reduce peak runoff
-
Movement of water through wider and regularly cleared drainage channels
-
Installation of one-way valves and pumps to prevent backflow into populated areas
Wahab also shared a detailed overview of the state’s current flood mitigation efforts:
-
579 km of secondary drains and 309 km of primary channels are under maintenance
-
444 km of drains cleared by rapid-response teams
-
40.3 km of encroached drainage channels have been restored
-
218 new drainage channels under construction, expected to add 1,500 km to the network
The commissioner noted that flood pumps are being installed in key areas, with the first unit at Ilubirin, on Lagos Island, already undergoing testing.
Future plans and climate resilience measures
Wahab said the state has also adopted medium- and long-term flood prevention plans, including:
-
Development of a Lekki Blue-Green Network for integrated water and land use
-
Installation of flap gates on tide-sensitive outfalls
-
Wetland restoration for natural water absorption
-
Updated building codes mandating on-site stormwater retention systems in new developments
He stressed that urban waste management plays a critical role in flood prevention. Lagos has already:
-
Banned Styrofoam and begun enforcing single-use plastic restrictions
-
Invested in waste-to-energy initiatives and material recovery facilities
-
Deployed 15,000 street sweepers to ensure cleaner drainage channels
More information about Lagos’ environmental policies can be found on the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment website.
“Floods are driven by physics, not politics. Our plan is to store, move, and control water—supported by maintenance, enforcement, early warning, and public metrics,” Wahab stated.
Climate change, not politics, is the real threat, says Wahab
Wahab concluded by warning that climate change, not political affiliations, is the true driver of increased flooding and other extreme weather events globally. He cited recent flood disasters in Japan, Florida, and Western Europe as examples of the global nature of the challenge.
“Obviously, attending an Ivy League school is not a conferer of intelligence,” Wahab said in a direct jab at Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a graduate of institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Nottingham.
Political fallout and public reaction
This latest exchange underscores the ongoing political tensions between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos and the opposition Labour Party, especially following the highly contested 2023 governorship elections, where Rhodes-Vivour emerged as a popular challenger.
While Wahab’s remarks have been praised by some as technically sound and data-driven, critics argue that the administration has not done enough to prevent recurring floods in densely populated urban areas.
