A mass exodus is looming in Lagos – the commercial capital of the country as the state’s assembly set to enact laws for the protection of its indigenes.
Recall, during the buildup of the 2023 general elections, the political space was divided as usual along ethnicity and religious colouration. The controversies were more pronounced in Lagos than any other place in the country.
There were arguments that non-indigenes wanted to take over the state, declaring that Lagos is a Yoruba land.
This was said to have been propagated by Igbos from the Southeastern part of the country in order to have their kinsmen elected as the state’s governor.
The Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos state during the election Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour whose mother is an Igbo was said to have been fielded to make their skim work out.
They were criticised for trying to misuse the opportunity of Lagos being a land of opportunity for all and sundry. Many urged the government to ensure there is not a repeat of such in the state so that the economy stability being enjoyed will be maintained.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in his speech after being reelected to lead the house disclosed that the state would promulgate laws for the protection of its indigenes.
He said as part of its legislative agenda, there would be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles and reversal of “all that are reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes”.
Obasa, who hinted at some of the controversies in the build-up to the 2023 elections, including the argument that non-indigenes wanted to take over the state, declared that Lagos is a Yoruba land. “Lagos is Yoruba land as against the assertions of some people that it is a no man’s land.
“Therefore, part of our legislative agenda is to ensure the translation of laws passed by this House to the Yoruba language.
“We also aim at achieving our collective goals of creating a robust legislative framework that protects the interest of our people.
“Going forward in this wise, we are going to employ all legislative instruments for the support of the indigenes of Lagos.
“There would be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles and we will reverse all that are reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes,” he said in his acceptance speech after he was unanimously elected as speaker of the assembly.
