The De-Renaissance Patriots Foundation has raised alarm over what it described as the growing political marginalisation and systemic disenfranchisement of indigenous Lagosians, calling on the Lagos State and Federal Governments, National Assembly, and international community to intervene in what it termed “a crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic and federal structure.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the group rejected a proposed constitutional amendment currently before the National Assembly, which seeks to redefine indigeneship based on birth, residency, or marriage instead of ancestral lineage.
“Indigeneship is a matter of heritage, not habitation,” the Foundation declared.
“This legislation, if passed, will erode the cultural and constitutional rights of indigenous Nigerians, especially those of Lagos State.”
The group urged the Lagos Caucus in the National Assembly to “vigorously oppose” the bill, warning that the proposed change would open the door to ethnic disenfranchisement and conflict.
The Foundation criticised what it described as decades-long marginalisation of indigenous Lagosians in the political and administrative architecture of the state.
“For 25 years, governance in Lagos has been dominated by non-indigenes,” the group stated, claiming that over 70% of top positions in the executive, legislature, and civil service are held by non-indigenous persons.
“Lagos is the only state in the federation where such aberration has become institutionalised.”
It called for all elective and appointive positions—Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, and Chief Judge—to be reserved for indigenous Lagosians, represented by the IBILE divisions: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe.
The group also denounced the planned local government elections in the additional 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), calling the move unconstitutional.
“The Constitution only recognises 20 Local Government Areas. Conducting elections in the LCDAs is an illegal act and an affront to federalism,” the group said, urging the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to comply strictly with constitutional provisions.
On the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Foundation criticised President Bola Tinubu’s reported intervention in reinstating Speaker Mudashiru Obasa against the will of 36 of 40 lawmakers. It described the action as “undemocratic and inconsistent with the principles of fair legislative process.”
The group alleged that the president’s interference, including his reported opposition to the emergence of an indigenous female lawmaker, Hon. Meranda, as Speaker, was aimed at suppressing indigenous representation.
The group also expressed concern over the alleged withdrawal of security personnel attached to prominent Lagos monarchs, Oba Oniru and Oba Elegushi.
“If this is true, it is condemnable. It endangers their lives and undermines the authority of traditional institutions that have long safeguarded communal peace,” the group said, calling for immediate restoration of their security details.
Citing remarks by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on April 22, the group aligned with the global position that indigenous rights are “non-negotiable,” and called for their protection in Nigeria.
The De-Renaissance Patriots Foundation urged all Lagos indigenes to defend their ancestral land and heritage.
“IBILE must not be reduced to a historical relic. It is a living identity. All forms of political manipulation and marginalisation must be resisted,” the group said.
The group called for an end to unconstitutional LG elections, rejection of the indigeneship amendment, non-interference by the presidency in state matters, restoration of security to traditional rulers, if indeed withdrawn and protection of Lagos from any politically-motivated emergency declaration.
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