Being a text of press conference addressed by the Lagos Advocacy Group at 8, Atinuke Abayomi Street, off Balogun Bus Stop, Ikeja, Lagos State on the 18th day of November, 2020.
On the Loss Of Nativism In Lagos State; The Conscious Marginalisation and Alienation Of Lagos State Indigenes In The Government(s) Of The Federation And Of Lagos State, By Successive Governments In Nigeria And Lagos State In Particular.
Which Has Led To The Disempowerment Of Lagos Indigenes And The Filing Of Suit FHC/L/CS/1465/2020; Between Barrister Yakubu Eleto & ORS VS Federal Character Commission & 18 Others Joined As Co-defendants To Correct These Injustices.
Gentlemen of the Press! Well respected Youths of Lagos State!! We are an indigenous Youth group of Lagos state that cuts across the five divisions in the state; Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe (IBILE).
Our main aim and struggle is to correct by due process of Law the marginalization, alienation and oppression of indigenes of Lagos State in the government of the Federation and Lagos State in particular, by Persons who have consciously subjugated the interest of Lagos indigenes.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!
The Lagos Advocacy Group, LAG, is a social movement of indigenes of Lagos State that has a following who are independent of any political ideology, religion, economic or international influence and who take injustice, discrimination and marginalization of Lagos indigenes personally.
The core activities of the Lagos Advocacy Group include research, advocacy, lobbying, campaigns, petitions, protests and actions geared towards the liberation of Lagos indigenes from the present repression and marginalization by the Government of yesterday and today.
THE NEED FOR THIS PRESS CONFERENCE – The Lagos Advocacy Group rose from an emergency meeting held via Zoom on the 16th day of November, 2020 and lamented the poor management of the #EndSARS protest by our Government and condemned the wanton destruction of Public and Private properties as well as Historical Monuments and Heritage such as the Palace of the Oba of Lagos, in Lagos State.
We noted that the destruction was made possible and went unchecked because governance is no longer at the grassroots.
There seems to be a deliberate non-inclusiveness of notable and particularly independent-minded indigenes in the governance of our State.
We must make it clear that indigenes of Lagos State are not carried along in the governance of their state.
Arsonists were looting our communities without any resistance from the community residents. This shows clearly that the government in place has not carried along the indigenes in the community.
The indigenes of Lagos State have been displaced, their culture eroded, the traditions of Lagos State have also been relegated to the background by successive State governments and the spirit of Lagos as it was, is nowhere to be found.
THE LAWSUIT: Flowing from the above and in response to the incessant calls by next generation of indigenes that unless action is taken to protect our heritage and we takeover our environment, we will become destitute and beggars in our own State.
That in the nearest future, our race as Omo Eko (indigenes of Lagos) as opposed to Ara Eko (residents of Lagos) in the State will be exterminated by the government.
Whereas other States in Nigeria have continue to protect and preserve the interest of their respective indigenes by government actions.
As law abiding citizens, the Lagos Advocacy Group has therefore decided to challenge in the Law Courts the Constitutionality and validity of actions of both the Federal government and Lagos State government in the marginalization and alienation of indigenes of Lagos State in participation in the government of the Federation and government of their State respectively.
The Lagos Advocacy Group has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Lagos State on the 19th October, 2020 with SUIT NO: FHC/L/CS/1465/2020; Between Barrister Yakubu Eleto & 6 Others Vs. The Federal Character Commission & 18 others.
The Defendants in the Lawsuit are; The Federal Character Commission, The President, Federal Republic Of Nigeria, The Attorney General Of The Federation, The Senate Of Federal Republic Of Nigeria, The Governor Of Lagos State, The Attorney General Of Lagos State, The Lagos State House Of Assembly, The Independent Electoral Commission,INEC, The All Progressives Congress, APC, The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, (Sued By Themselves And On Behalf Of Political Parties In Nigeria), Head Of Service Of The Federation, Federal Civil Service Commission, Head Of Service Of Lagos State, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Lagos State House Of Assembly Service Commission, Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Lagos State Health Service Commission
All we are asking the court for among other reliefs are:
1. A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 13 and 14 (3) & (4) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, Para 8, Part I of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution and Sections 4 & 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act LFN 2010, the 1st Defendant (FEDERAL CHARACTER COMMISSION) is obliged to monitor and enforce compliance by the 2nd to 19th Defendants with the provision of the Federal Character Commission Act and the established Guidelines and Formulae made thereto in the nomination to contest elections or appointment of Persons into Political Public Offices and Career Posts in the government and public service of the Federation of Nigeria and all the States in Nigeria including Lagos State.
2. A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 13 and 14 (3) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Para 8, Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution and Sections 4 & 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act LFN 2010, the 2nd and 4th Defendants in the exercise of their Constitutional powers are obliged to appoint and confirm appointment respectively of persons who are the best and competent indigenes of Lagos State to fill political public offices and career posts or positions reserved for indigenes of Lagos State in the Government and public service of the Federation.
3. A DECLARATION that appointment of a person who is not an indigene of Lagos State by the 2nd Defendant and confirmed by the 4th Defendant into Political Public Office and Career Post in the government and public service of the Federation reserved for indigenes of Lagos State in breach of the provision of Section 14(3) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Para 8, Part I of the 3rd schedule to the Constitution, Sections 4 & 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act LFN 2010 and the Guidelines and Formulae for Distribution of Political Public Offices and Career Posts in Nigeria, is unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void.
4. A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 13 and 14 (4) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Para 8, Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution and Sections 4 & 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act LFN 2010, the 5th and 7th Defendants in exercise of their Constitutional powers are obliged to appoint and confirm appointment respectively of persons who are competent indigenes of Local Government Areas or Senatorial Districts of Lagos State to political public offices and career posts or positions in the Government and Public Service of Lagos State.
5. A DECLARATION that appointments of a person who is not an indigene of a Local Government Area or Senatorial District of Lagos State by the 5th Defendants and confirmed by the 7th Defendant into Political Public Office and Career Post in the government and public service of Lagos State in breach of the provisions of Section 14(4) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Para 8, Part I of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution, Sections 4 & 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act LFN 2010 and the Guidelines and Formulae for Distribution of Political Public Offices and Career Posts in Nigeria is unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void.
6. A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 13 and 14 (3) & 4) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Para 8, Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule of the Constitution, Section 4 & 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act LFN 2010, and the Guidelines and Formulae made thereto it is unlawful for any Nigerian to claim to be an indigene of another State or more than one State in Nigeria or Local Government Area in a State, to secure nomination to contest election or appointment into any Political public office or career post in the government or public service of the federation or any state in Nigeria.
7. AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining all the Defendants, their servants, workers, agents or howsoever from further breach of the provisions of Sections 13 and 14 (3) & 4) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Para 8, Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule of the Constitution, Sections 4 & 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act LFN 2010, and the Guidelines and Formulae made thereto in relation to indigenes of Lagos State, either in the nomination of person to contest election or in the appointment of persons into Political Public Offices and/or Career Posts reserved for indigenes of Lagos State in the government and public service of the Federation or in the government and public service of Lagos State or as representative of Lagos State in the National Assembly.
The case commenced by Originating Summons is supported by an affidavit deposed to Mr. Adeyeni Wasiu Onikoro Sulaymon; a legal practitioner and an indigene of Lagos State and the affidavit consists of 67 – paragraphs.
It’s our belief that the Court will grant our Prayers and we will come out victorious. We believe that this will put an end to the conscious action of people who have hijacked the government of Lagos State to subdue, marginalize and alienate the indigenes of Lagos State.
The marginalization and alienation of Lagos indigenes started at least 2 (two) decades ago and we make bold to say that non-indigenes have always formed the core of the government of Lagos state since 1999 despite the fact that there are competent Lagos indigenes willing and able to occupy these offices.
These complaints being made by Lagos indigenes do not happen in other States in Nigeria and that it is against the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we are being ignored with impunity.
To borrow the statement of H.E. Governor Oyetola of Osun State, “It is not fair and it is criminal for non-indigenes to take the slots of Osun when it comes to distribution of positions. We agree with him and wonder why the same is not applicable in Lagos State?
Permit me to make few examples during the time of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State – Alhaji Lai Muhammed from Kwara State was made his Chief of Staff, Mr. Rauf Aregbeshola from Osun State was made a Commissioner for Works and later became Governor in Osun State, Mr. Fela Arthur-Worry from Delta State was also a Commissioner for lands, Mr. Femi Lanlehin from Oyo State as Special Adviser, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti State as Special Adviser and later Commissioner in Lagos State. He later contested and won as Senator in Ekiti State.
In this current Administration of Mr. Sanwo-Olu, there are a sizable number of non-indigenes in his Cabinet, from Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Dr. Idris Salako, Arch. Kabiru Ahmed; Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho; Commssioner for Energy Dr. Fredrick Olaluwe as well as Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwatoyin Foyinka a S.A. we also have Engr. Aramide Adeyoye as Commissioner for Works & infracstrure, Mrs. Lola Akande as Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Mr. Sam Egube as Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Dr. Wale Ahmed as Commissioner for Local Govt. & Community Affairs, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, Mr. Tunbosun Alake.
Apart from political appointees there are also elected officers in our Lagos State government that are not Lagos Indigenes, they are as follows:- Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan from Ogun State – representing Lagos West Senatorial District who before his re-election in 2019 was one of the aspirants for the post of Governor of Ogun State.
ii. Senator Adebayo Oshinowo (late) from Ogun State who represented Lagos East Senatorial District and recently died was taken to his hometown in Ijebu, Ogun State for burial.
iii. Hon. James Falake from Kogi State while representing Ikeja Federal Constituency went to Kogi State to contest as Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
iv. Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye from Ekiti – is the person representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the Federal House of Assembly.
v. Hon. Samuel Adejare is the person representing Agege Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the Federal House of Assembly.
vi. Hon. Jimoh Olajide is the person representing Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the Federal House of Assembly from Kwara State.
vii. Hon. Ajokpa Oghere is the person representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the Federal House of Assembly.
viii. Hon. Owolabi Adisa is the person representing Ifako Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the Federal House of Assembly.
ix. Hon. Kuye Ademorin from Ogun State is the person representing Somolu Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the Federal House of Assembly.
x. Hon. Olatunji Soyinka is the person representing Surulere Federal Constituency II of Lagos State in the Federal House of Assembly.
xi. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa from Ogun State is the second time speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly.
xii. Hon. Rasheed Lanre Makinde is the person representing Ifako – Ijaiye in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
xiii. Hon. Jubril Folajimi Lai-Mohammed from Kwara State and a second term Hon. Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly is the person representing Ikeja 1.
xiv. Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogun is the person representing Oshodi – Isolo 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly. That the worst of it is that 70% of elected officials in the state are non-indigene making it difficult for indigenes to have a place in their political space.
Imagine, even the three senators representing Lagos State are NOT Indigenes of Lagos State; Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (Yayi), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, late Senator Bayo Osinowo.
What we Lagosians, are tolerating is intolerable in all other parts of the country e.g. Kano State, when in 2004 Mr. Hon. Justice Patrick Mahmud was denied nomination to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that he is not an indigene of Kano State. The same thing occurred in Imo and Abia States in 2011, when Abia State Government was carved out of Imo state asked all officers of non-origin in their public sector were asked to resign and leave the state.
The same is also happening now in Cross-River State where the Governor of Cross-River is denying the most senior Judge appoint as the substantive Chief Judge of the State based on the fact that he is not an indigene of their State.
OUR DEMANDS:
1. Respect and Compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, and the laws of Nigeria by the Federal and Lagos State Governments in relation to the rights of indigenes of Lagos State.
2. To put an end to the marginalization, alienation and oppression of indigenes of Lagos State in the government of the federation and Lagos State in particular.
3. The Federal Government and its agencies should henceforth comply with the Federal Character provision in the Constitution of Nigeria and the Federal Character Commission Act in relation to indigenes of Lagos State in appointment of persons to fill political public offices and career posts or positions reserved for indigenes of Lagos State in the Government and public service of the Federation.
4. The Lagos State Government and its agencies should henceforth comply with the Federal Character provision in the Constitution of Nigeria and the Federal Character Commission Act in relation to indigenes of Lagos State in appointment of persons to fill political public offices and career posts or positions in the Government and public service of Lagos State
5. That ALL political parties in Lagos State are to henceforth ensure that they comply with the Federal Character provision in the Constitution of Nigeria and the Federal Character Commission Act in the exercise of their power of nomination of Persons to contest elections and to henceforth nominate persons who are indigenes of Local Government Areas or Senatorial Districts of Lagos State as candidates to contest election into political public offices or positions in the Government of Lagos State or to represent Lagos State in the National Assembly.
Finally, we call on senior indigenes in Lagos State not to isolate us in this fight for the rescue of the soul of Lagos State from the claws of the lion.
Thank You Ladies and Gentlemen, for listening.
Yakubu Arowoshola Eleto ESQ. Convener, Lagos Advocacy Group
Adeyemi Sulaiman Onikoro Esq. Co-Convener, Lagos Advocay Group
Adeyemi Akeem Shittu Esq, Lagos Advocacy Group
Engineer Bolaji Olayemico-Convener, Lagos Advocacy Group
