Group decries marginalisation of indigenes in Lagos affairs

A socio-cultural organisation for Lagos State indigenes, under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has decried a situation where, as indigenes, they are being marginalised in the affairs of their own state created for them in 1967, saying this development is against the tenets of the 1999 Constitution and the relevant provisions of the Federal Character Commissions Act.

De Renaissance Patriots Foundation gave this position in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, noting sadly that true indigenes remain marginalised in key cabinet positions both at the Federal and state levels.

This was just as the socio-cultural organisation noted that Lagos State was created in 1967 alongside others in the then old Western State, and existing concurrently so that the presence of government and development would be brought closer to the indigenes, but quickly observed that a situation where individuals without ancestral ties to Lagos exploited its opportunities while its true indigenes remained marginalised still continues till today.

“The Nigerian Constitution under Section 147, Section 14 (3) and the relevant provisions of the Federal Character Commissions Act explicitly state that each state must be represented in the Federal Executive Council by an indigene of that state and forbid the domination of one ethnic group over the other.

“However, in Lagos State, this principle has been repeatedly violated. The contrast is striking when compared to states such as Kano, Edo, Borno, and Imo, where only true indigenes are appointed to represent their respective states,” the group said.

“A historical precedent further underscores this issue. In 2007, during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Segun Aganga, an indigene of Edo State, was appointed as Minister representing Lagos. Upon completing his tenure, he realigned with his home state, leaving Lagos without any long-term benefit.

“This pattern continues today, as individuals without ancestral ties to Lagos exploit its opportunities while its true indigenes remain marginalised.

“Within the Lagos State administration under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a significant number of non-indigenes have held and continue to hold key cabinet positions.

“These appointments and many more further emphasise the systemic under-representation of Lagos indigenes within their own state government, creating a deep sense of disenfranchisement,” it added.

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