“Even Tinubu No Wicked Reach Una” — Angry Bayelsans Drag Landlords, Agents Over Rent Crisis
By Passman Akpos
Residents of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, have voiced growing frustration over skyrocketing house rents, poor salaries, and worsening economic hardship, accusing landlords and agents of exploiting struggling tenants despite the state’s weak business environment.
The debate was sparked after a resident, Jane Diepreye, lamented the harsh realities of living in Bayelsa, questioning why landlords continue to increase rent in a state where businesses are struggling and workers earn as little as ₦50,000 to ₦80,000 monthly.
“How many companies dey this Bayelsa State? How much be people salary for hotel and filling station work? Sometimes you walk the streets of Yenagoa and everywhere is empty. Business owners are sleeping some days because there are no sales,” she said.
Jane argued that many residents now borrow money just to meet rent demands, while landlords insist on annual increases and, in many cases, demand two years’ rent upfront.
“People barely feed, some even borrow money to pay rent. Every year una dey increase rent. Later we go dey blame President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for everything, meanwhile we sef wicked pass Tinubu,” she added angrily.
Her comments quickly resonated with many residents, who flooded social media with similar complaints, describing landlords and agents in Yenagoa as “wicked” and “heartless.”
One resident wrote, “This town needs God’s intervention. House rent dey wound us.”
Another added, “Now for Yenagoa, landlords no longer want one year rent. They demand two years upfront like say person no get other responsibilities.”
Some blamed property owners for prioritizing profit over humanity, noting that old buildings constructed years ago for far less money are now rented out for over ₦1 million annually for just a one-bedroom apartment.
“A structure built with thousands of naira years ago now costs millions for one-bedroom rent. Chai, e no funny,” another resident lamented.However, some landlords defended the rent hikes, arguing that the rising cost of building materials and maintenance leaves them with little choice.
“Old houses require maintenance to keep up. The cost is high now. What do you expect the owner to do? Increase the rent to survive, otherwise the building will dilapidate,” one commenter argued.
Despite the defense, many residents insist the situation has become unbearable and are calling on the Bayelsa State Government to urgently regulate house rents and check the activities of agents and landlords.
“I wonder oh, the government needs to take urgent steps to solve the continuous increment on rent and create stability,” another resident stated.
As inflation bites harder and unemployment remains a major concern, the rising cost of accommodation in Yenagoa is becoming one of the biggest sources of anger among residents, many of whom say survival in the oil-rich state is becoming increasingly impossible
