Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has sharply criticized the recent practice of renaming streets in Lagos, deeming it both illegal and indicative of “ethnic chauvinism.”
Speaking on Sunday, Falana called for public hearings to precede any street naming, arguing that such actions should not be carried out arbitrarily.
His comments come after a series of renamings in Lagos, including the “Charly Boy Bus Stop” being changed to “Baddo Bus Stop,” and Aliko Dangote naming two streets after his late friend Herbert Wigwe and President Bola Tinubu.
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Falana emphasized that naming roads and streets, and numbering houses, is an exclusive function of local governments, as outlined in the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He asserted that the recent renamings in Lagos constitute a “usurpation of powers” by individuals and Local Council Development Areas, effectively bypassing the legitimate authority of the local governments.
“However, we have confirmed that the Charley Boy Bus Stop was not named by the authorities of the Bariga Local Council Development Area by the people of Bariga and Gbagada communities. No withstanding that fact, it should be adequately appreciated that the Charley Boy Bus stop acquired its name and identity sociologically for its apparent functionality and due to the positive impact which Charley Boy has historically made in the area. Renaming the Charley Boy Bus Stop without consulting the Bariga and Gbadaga people smacks of authoritarianism,” he said.
“It is sad to note that a state that has continued to retain the streets named after murderers and economic saboteurs from the former colonial empire is busy renaming streets and bus stops named after Nigerians who have made their contributions to the development of the society.
“In view of the serious objections to the diversionary renaming of streets in Lagos State, the legislative arms of the local governments should henceforth conduct public hearing.
“Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily without following the due process of the law with a view to pleasing the whims and caprices of political leaders or to suggest the retrogressive idea of ethnic chauvinism, particularly in a capital city like Lagos.”
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