Fulfil your promise to Maroko Evictees, Illasan residents Beg Sanwo-Olu

By Paul Iyoghojie

The residents of Maroko who were forcefully ejected in 1990 popularly called Maroko Evictees and have been squatting at the dingy Illasan, Ikota and Epe Estates in Lagos for the past 33 years have appealed to the listening and kind-hearted Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to, as a matter of urgency, come to their rescue and fulfil the promise he made to redevelop the Illasan Estate for them at a stakeholders meeting held on 12 February 2023 at Monarch Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos.

Some of those who spoke with P.M.NEWS said that they decided to remind Governor Sanwo-Olu of the promise he made to them to let him know that time was running out and more importantly as they absolutely believed that he would fulfill his promise of rebuilding the Illasan Estate to make life better for them.

The residents also praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for finding time out of his busy schedule to attend a meeting with Maroko Evictees whom past leaders have neglected for decades which shows that Sanwo-Olu to them is God-fearing.

Speaking on behalf of members, the General Secretary of the Maroko Evictees Association, Alhaji T. A. Jegede, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for finding time to attend a meeting with the abandoned and neglected Maroko Evictees, adding that it shows there are still God-fearing leaders who can defend and support the oppressed in time of need.

“I am now appealing to Governor Sanwo-Olu to come to our rescue and fulfil the promise he made to rebuild the Illasan estate where we have been living with snakes, rodents and reptiles for the past 33 years as time was running out, Jegede appealed.

Jegede stated; “the military led by the then Governor of Lagos State, Colonel Raji Rasaki invaded our homes in Maroko in 1990 and demolished our homes and chased us away and since then we have been crying out for compensation and the rebuilding of the Illasan, Ikota and Epe estates they relocated us to for the past 33 years without help from the Government.

“But only Governor Sanwo-Olu have summoned the courage to attend a meeting with the Maroko Evictees where he promised to rebuild the Illasan estate for us and with the promise, Sanwo-Olu to our assessment is the best leader Lagos ever produced because he means well for everybody.

“I am now appealing to Governor Sanwo-Olu to fulfil his promise before he leaves office,” Jegede appealed.