It has been revealed that the objective of resident non-indigenes controlling political power in Lagos State is to capture the Centre of Excellence and use their control of the government to deny Lagos indigenes their constitutional rights.
This revelation was made in a statement by the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, a socio-cultural organization representing Lagos indigenes, during a meeting hosted by the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Leading the delegation was the new President of De Renaissance Patriots, Mr. Miftah Bolaji Are, who briefed the hosts on the group’s mission. He emphasized that while the organization is non-partisan, it is committed to ensuring that Lagos indigenes hold key political offices such as Governor, Deputy Governor, and Speaker.
In his remarks, Mr. Are noted that he assumed the presidency after the passing of the founding President, Adelani Adeniji-Adele, who died on Friday, August 2, 2024, and was buried on Wednesday, August 22.
“We have no issue with the Igbo. It’s our fellow South Westerners who pose the problem. I asked them, ‘If you claim the Igbo want to take over Lagos, are they the ones seizing land and awarding it to themselves? Are they the ones approving Certificates of Occupancy for those lands given to non-indigenes?’ The Igbo are not our problem; it’s the South Westerners unjustifiably attempting to capture Lagos,” he explained.
According to a statement delivered by Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Retd.), Alternate Chairman of the Board of Trustees for De Renaissance Patriots, some individuals claim dual indigeneship or make unverifiable claims to Lagos ancestry, which is both illegal and disrespectful to genuine indigenes.
The meeting was convened by the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu, who invited the De Renaissance Patriots, led by Mr. Miftah Bolaji Are, due to the growing impact the group is having in advocating for indigenes’ rights to control Lagos politically.
“The aim of resident non-indigenes is to politically capture Lagos State and deny its indigenes their constitutional rights and privileges,” the statement declared. “How else can you explain situations where six important political offices are often held by non-indigenes?”
The statement went on to accuse the ruling elite of using their control over the state’s political offices to climb the political ladder, at the expense of Lagos indigenes. “Decisions regarding political appointments and constitutional entitlements are made based on inequality and self-interest,” it added.
De Renaissance Patriots highlighted several examples of individuals holding dual indigeneship and misrepresenting their origins, such as Senator Solomon Adeola (a.k.a. Omo West/Yayi), who used a Lagos slot in the Senate before moving to represent Ogun State.
Similarly, James Faleke, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, took a leave of absence to run for governor in Kogi State before resuming his seat in the House of Representatives. “Is that fair? Is it just?” the group asked.
The statement also criticized the appointment of Mrs. Ade-John, a non-indigene from Ogun State, as Minister representing Lagos. De Renaissance Patriots clarified that their objection is not personal but based on the principle that Lagos deserves its rightful representation.
“We want a prosperous and secure nation for all citizens and pray for our leaders to govern effectively. But the growing influx of settlers in Lagos should not be used to sideline the indigenes,” the statement added.
In his closing remarks, General Olanrewaju called for Lagos indigenes to stand up and contest all available elective positions, declaring, “Enough is enough! Lagosians can and must govern themselves, and the time is now.”
Following his presentation, Architect Taiwo Kara, responding on behalf of the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu, commended De Renaissance Patriots for their stand and assured that the group would actively defend their rights.
In welcoming the delegation, Babatunde Rotinwa, President of the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu, expressed gratitude for De Renaissance’s attendance. He acknowledged the longstanding curiosity about the group’s objectives, stating, “We asked ourselves what De Renaissance stands for. Now, after hearing them, we are encouraged to join the fight for the rights of Lagos indigenes.”
He concluded by stressing that the struggle for the rights of Lagos indigenes must not be avoided, comparing it to defending one’s ancestral heritage.
