APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe condemns Lagos’ landlords for ruthless rent increases, saying they show “no mercy” and are pushing tenants toward crime
Joe Igbokwe Blasts Lagos Landlords: ‘Greedy, Merciless, Pushing People to Steal’ – Calls for Urgent Rent Control
A prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, has called on the Lagos State Government to urgently intervene and rein in what he describes as unchecked greed by landlords driving sky-high rent increases across the state.
The appeal comes on the heels of a recent street protest by frustrated tenants who accused landlords and property agents of imposing arbitrary and exorbitant rent hikes without justification. Demonstrators marched with placards reading “Enough is enough”, “We say no to overprice house rent”, and “Rent increase should be regulated”.
In a fiery Facebook post, Igbokwe did not mince words, labeling Lagos landlords as ruthless and lacking empathy. He warned that the situation is pushing residents toward desperation and crime.
“Government needs to do something fast to call greedy landlords to order especially in Lagos. There is no control anymore. Landlords are pushing Nigerians to steal in order to rent a house.
“Lagos landlords are something else. They are greedy, they show no mercy, they are vicious, no empathy, no mercy etc.
“They are collecting high rents from houses they built in 1970. LASG can do something fast about the scourge. It is killing businesses. It is inhuman. It is leading Lagosians to steal,” Igbokwe wrote.
The outspoken politician argued that the absence of effective rent regulation is not only inhumane but also economically damaging, stifling small businesses and ordinary citizens who struggle to keep up with the relentless increases—even for decades-old properties.
Tenant complaints have intensified in recent months, with many alleging that annual renewals now come with 50–100% hikes, often without improvements to the buildings or justification tied to inflation or maintenance costs.
Igbokwe’s intervention adds political weight to growing public pressure on the Lagos State Government to introduce stronger rent control measures, revive enforcement of existing tenancy laws, or establish a formal mechanism to cap unreasonable increases.
As Lagos continues to grapple with housing affordability amid rapid urbanization, the call for urgent action highlights a deepening crisis that affects millions of residents and could shape public discourse ahead of future policy reviews. Read More
