Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has faulted the Lagos State government for renaming streets and landmarks without engaging the public, describing the action as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Falana's reaction comes in light of recent developments in the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), where former chairman Kolade Alabi renamed two roads in honour of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He also replaced the well-known "Charly Boy Bus Stop" on Gbagada-Bariga Road with "Baddo Bus Stop."
In addition, Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, recently renamed two streets after the late Herbert Wigwe and President Tinubu.
Falana, however, maintained that only local governments have the constitutional authority to name or rename streets, citing the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Quoting a previous court decision, Falana referenced Chief Obidi Ume v. Abuja Metropolitan Management Council & 2 Ors, where Justice Edward Okpe of the FCT High Court ruled that only the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) had the legal right to assign names to streets within the capital.
"The same principle applies across Nigeria," Falana stated. "The functions of local councils cannot be hijacked by individuals or LCDA officials acting without legal backing."
The human rights lawyer was particularly critical of the renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop, noting that it was not an official designation by authorities but rather a name given by residents of Bariga and Gbagada in recognition of Charly Boy's cultural contributions.
According to Falana, such community-based names carry sociological weight and should not be discarded without proper consultation.
"Changing that name without public input is not only highhanded but shows a disregard for the values and sentiments of the people who named it," he said.
He also criticised what he described as a pattern of removing names of respected Nigerians while leaving behind those of colonial figures with questionable reputations.
"It is ironic that streets bearing names of colonial oppressors remain untouched, while figures who have positively impacted the society are being sidelined," he added.
Falana called on local government councils to uphold due process by involving citizens in decisions that affect their communities.
He recommended that public hearings be conducted before any road or street is renamed.
"Street names should not be changed to satisfy political interests or fuel ethnic divisions, especially in a diverse city like Lagos," he warned.
Comments