Popular Nigerian auto influencer and car dealer, Olayinka Akinwande, popularly nown as Ola of Lagos, has cleared the air on reports surrounding the recent demolition of a car lot in Lekki allegedly belonging to him.
In a video statement released on his YouTube channel on Friday, Ola clarified that the demolished property was not his, insisting that he only leased a section of the premises for his business operations.
“I never said or claimed to own the property of the Skywise Group,” he said. “All I did was lease a section for doing my business. I repeat again, I do not own the property, nor have I ever claimed to build on the land.”
Addressing speculation that the Lagos State Government deliberately targeted him during the demolition, the influencer explained that the action was due to safety violations, not a personal vendetta.
“The Lagos State Government demolished this place because some safety precautions were not taken, not that Ola of Lagos was targeted or anything. Please stop mixing it,” he explained.
Ola of Lagos further revealed that his workspace at the lot was temporary, stressing that he supports any government initiative aimed at ensuring safety and urban order.
“It was temporary. It’s not even safe. I honestly respect and support any government initiative that prioritises the safety of its citizens,” he noted.
He also expressed appreciation to the management of Skywise Group, the property owners, for their cooperation and professionalism during the lease period.
“I had a good working relationship with Skywise Group and I respect the management. Please stop mixing it. They were not even greedy,” he added.
Despite the setback, Ola of Lagos assured his followers and business partners that his brand remains strong and will soon return to the Lagos car scene in an even bigger way.
“Don’t worry, it’s for the better. Ola of Lagos Auto Showroom—another one is coming back bigger and better,” he promised.
Concluding his remarks, the social media personality thanked his fans for their unwavering support and urged them to view the demolition as part of a broader effort to maintain public safety rather than a targeted action.
“You all love me and respect me for that. Trust me, this is not about Ola of Lagos. It’s for the safety of everybody… We are coming back bigger and better,” he said.
LEADERSHIP reports that the demolition which took place last weekend, had sparked mixed reactions online, with some social media users accusing the government of bias and others supporting the government’s action.
