A socio-cultural organisation representing Lagos State indigenes, the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has reiterated its position that the leadership of Lagos State from 2027 must be in the hands of its indigenous people.
In a statement titled “LAGOS IS NOT AN ORPHAN: A CALL FOR THE RESTORATION OF INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP,” with the rider “Lagos State Must Be Governed by Its Indigenes, Not by Pretendians,” the foundation emphasised the need for governance that reflects the state’s ancestral roots and heritage.
The statement, released by the foundation’s Media Office on Thursday, April 2, 2026, addressed ongoing political discussions concerning the future leadership of Lagos State.
The group stated that, at this critical moment, it finds it necessary to restate what it described as a fundamental truth: Lagos State must be governed by its indigenes and not by “pretendians.”
It said indigeneship is not a mere label but a deeply rooted identity anchored in ancestry, history, culture, spirituality, and heritage, adding that it transcends residency, settlement, or duration of stay.
According to the group, Lagos is the ancestral home of the indigenous people of the five historic divisions—Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe—and this connection cannot be substituted by convenience or political arrangement.
The foundation noted that since the return to democratic governance in 1999, Lagos State has increasingly been treated as a “political orphan,” with indigenous participation in governance steadily diminishing.
It added that, with few exceptions, there is a growing perception that indigenous representation at the highest levels has been limited, as many key government positions are occupied by non-indigenes, raising concerns about equity, inclusion, and justice.
The group said the situation has led to the marginalisation of those whose ancestral roots define Lagos State, stressing that it is troubling that individuals without clear indigenous roots have occupied significant public offices for extended periods.
It queried whether there are no competent and qualified indigenes of Lagos State to serve in such capacities.
The foundation also referenced recent political discussions that have brought forward names of potential candidates for the 2027 governorship, stating that while it acknowledges their public service records, the issue remains one of principle, identity, and historical legitimacy.
It rejected any notion that undermines the capacity, competence, and rightful place of Lagos indigenes in governing their own land, insisting that they must not be excluded from determining the political future of their ancestral home.
The group stated unequivocally that the next governor, deputy governor, and speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly must be indigenes from one of the five recognised divisions: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, or Epe.
It added that this position applies to all political parties presenting candidates for the 2027 gubernatorial election, stressing that no party is exempt from what it described as a principle of fairness, justice, and historical legitimacy.
The foundation said it will continue to advocate peacefully, lawfully, and resolutely for the recognition of indigeneship as a foundational principle of leadership, the protection of indigenous rights in governance, and the restoration of fairness and justice in public institutions.
It maintained that while Lagos is home to many, it is not without history, heritage, and identity, and its leadership must reflect those whose roots are embedded in its soil.
The group concluded that the next holders of key public offices in Lagos State must be indigenes, warning that anything less would amount to continued injustice to the people whose heritage defines the state.
