Lagos indigenes under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation have declared that they have no issue with Igbo residents in the state but are concerned about Yoruba individuals from other South-West states who pretend to be Lagosians.
During a visit to Ikorodu, the group’s President, Mr. Miftah Bolaji Are, emphasized that the real problem lies with South-Westerners who hold prominent offices in Lagos despite not being indigenes of the state. Are stated that these individuals often short-change the true indigenes of Lagos under the guise of being part of the community.
“We have no problem with Igbo residents,” Are said. “Our issue is with South-Westerners who are not indigenes but claim to be. If you say Igbo want to take over Lagos, are they the ones who take people’s land and award it to themselves? Are they the ones who approve Certificates of Occupancy for lands given to other non-indigenes? So, I told them that they cannot send Igbo packing because Igbo are not our problem, but the South Westerners who want to capture Lagos unjustifiably.”
Former Minister of Communications, Maj. Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (retd), who is also the Alternate Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the group, lamented the practice of some individuals claiming double indigeneship, which he described as against the law. Olanrewaju pointed out that this practice allows non-indigenes to capture key political positions and deny indigenous people their constitutional rights and privileges.
“The objective of resident non-indigenes is to capture Lagos State politically and deny the indigenous people their rights,” Olanrewaju explained. “How do you explain the situation where the holders of six important political offices are often non-indigenes? The ruling elite and leadership in Lagos State government control the political administration and the state’s resources, using the state to climb the political ladders at the expense of the indigenes.”
Olanrewaju highlighted examples of non-indigenes who claim double indigeneship and use Lagos State as a stepping stone for their political careers. He cited the case of Senator Solomon Adeola, who represents Ogun State in the Senate while also claiming to be from Lagos. This, according to Olanrewaju, is a betrayal and wrongful representation that disrespects the rights of Lagos State indigenes.
“De Renaissance Patriots Foundation is not against these appointees in their personal capacity, but we feel we should point out the serious flaws that deny the state indigenes of their rights and privileges,” Olanrewaju said. “We want the country to become prosperous and well-secured for all its citizens. We pray for our leaders to lead properly and succeed. Our state should do everything possible to ensure that indigenes are not overwhelmed by the daily movement of people who decide to settle in our midst. The ruling elite must not try to put a yoke of slavery on the indigenes because of streaming migration of settlers on the land.”
