₦airaland Forum

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has criticised the ongoing trend of renaming streets and public spaces in Lagos State without following constitutional procedures or consulting residents, describing the actions as unlawful and undemocratic.

In a statement issued yesterday, Falana condemned recent instances, including the renaming of the popular “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” by the former chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr Kolade Alabi. He also cited reports of two streets being named after President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as industrialist Aliko Dangote’s alleged naming of streets in honour of the late Mr Herbert Wigwe and President Tinubu.

According to Falana, these actions violate the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which clearly vests the responsibility for naming and numbering streets exclusively in local government councils. He referenced a key legal precedent, Chief Obidi Ume v. Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, in which a court ruled that only the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, has the authority to assign names to streets and roads within its jurisdiction.

“The usurpation of the exclusive functions of local governments on street naming by certain individuals and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State cannot be justified under the Nigerian Constitution,” Falana stated.

He particularly faulted the renaming of the Charley Boy Bus Stop, which he described as a landmark historically named by the Bariga and Gbagada communities.

“Charley Boy Bus Stop acquired its name sociologically due to its functionality and the positive impact which Charley Boy has historically made in the area,” Falana noted. “Renaming it without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism.”

The rights lawyer also expressed concern that Lagos has left untouched many colonial-era names associated with oppression, while targeting names that honour Nigerians who have made positive contributions to society.

Falana urged the legislative arms of local governments across Lagos to take immediate steps to end arbitrary renaming of streets and to introduce transparent processes, including public hearings, to ensure community involvement in such decisions.

“Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily to please the whims and caprices of political leaders or to promote ethnic chauvinism, especially in a cosmopolitan capital city like Lagos,” he said.

Ironfaceman:
Thank you so much sir. You contribution to this topic is well regarded.

Charly boy was a rugged activist who protested against the likes of Abacha and was jailed.

Also his nick name came from okada riders who he fought hard to have okada business legalised.

You may not like the messenger but appreciate the message.

According to Falana, these actions violate the
provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),
which clearly vests the responsibility for naming
and numbering streets exclusively in local
government councils.

Sangoamadioha1:
What does this media hugging SAN want? He says renaming Streets are under the the authority of local governments and it was Bariga LCDA that renamed it, so why the beef again

Morenikeji090:
Sir you are not serious all names will be change it’s non of ur business…. I thought some idiotic people are saying Lagos is no man’s land… so we gotta show them that Lagos is man’s land and lagos have owner.:.

Tinubumustgo:
How the most acclaimed educated tribe got reduced to bunch of tribal bigots is baffling.

Sangoamadioha1:
What does this media hugging SAN want? He says renaming Streets are under the the authority of local governments and it was Bariga LCDA that renamed it, so why the beef again

LegendHero:
If Falana is not happy about it, he can rename his house “Charly boy” house in recognition of Charley Boy.

LegendHero:
If Falana is not happy about it, he can rename his house “Charly boy” house in recognition of Charley Boy.

owobokiri:
Igbophobia has made a lot of our fellow kwantiri men ready to cut off their nose in order to spite their faces.. Parochial upstarts masquerading as vintage patriots.
If you accuse them of ethnic baiting, they will say it has nothing to do with ethnicity.

That's how one commissioner under Sanwo Olu woke up one morning and started pulling down peoples houses because "they were built on waterways".
Meanwhile, his fellow citizens are living ontop of their feaces at ilaje and co. He chose not to see that.

This country must be reorganised. Totally and fundamentally.
You can't continue to hate a people with so.much gusto whike insisting that you stay in the same country with them. We must all ronu to the last point..

LegendHero:
This format don cast.

It is better to be called a “Buygot” than Accomodating”.

So we are so happy we are being called “Buygots”. The seeet thing is that THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!

Morenikeji090:
Yes ooo don’t mind that stupid man….. someone coming to your land to mock you and disrespecting those who host them. Why can’t many of idiot who are complaining now correct them before now..

Tinubumustgo:
For the next if not till eternity, Charly boy bus stop will always be on the minds of the people and the masses that were already used to know the name from the beginning.

LegendHero:
Lol which masses? What is Charley Boy contribution to Lagos?

Tell us one thing that will endear him to the masses? Just one thing.

I am waiting.

LegendHero:
Lol which masses? What is Charley Boy contribution to Lagos?

Tell us one thing that will endear him to the masses? Just one thing.

I am waiting.

owobokiri:
Igbophobia has made a lot of our fellow kwantiri men ready to cut off their nose in order to spite their faces.. Parochial upstarts masquerading as vintage patriots.
If you accuse them of ethnic baiting, they will say it has nothing to do with ethnicity.

That's how one commissioner under Sanwo Olu woke up one morning and started pulling down peoples houses because "they were built on waterways".
Meanwhile, his fellow citizens are living ontop of their feaces at ilaje and co. He chose not to see that.

This country must be reorganised. Totally and fundamentally.
You can't continue to hate a people with so.much gusto whike insisting that you stay in the same country with them. We must all ronu to the last point..

Slytiger:
Igbos can only gaslight weak people.

Tinubumustgo:
Same as Badoo. What has olamide contributed to the lives of the same Lagos state citizens aside entertainment?

LegendHero:
Maybe someone need to tell Falana that the Local government authorized the renaming of the bus stop to Baddo.

It seems Falana just like to talk these days, baba no dey even check whether Wetin e dey talk make sense or not.

Tinubumustgo:
Same as Badoo. What has olamide contributed to the lives of the same Lagos state citizens aside entertainment?

agentNija:
Falana is one of the few sensible person from that side.