Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has faulted the naming of streets in Lagos State, describing it as illegal and suggestive of ethnic chauvinism.
Naijaonpoint reports that the council chairman, Kolade David, whose tenure ended on Friday, announced the renaming of the bus stop, stating that the move was part of efforts to honour individuals who have brought pride to Bariga and contributed to Nigeria’s global image.
Reacting to the development, Falana, in a statement on Sunday, stated that Charley Boy Bus Stop was not named by the authorities of the Bariga Local Council Development Area, but rather by the people of the Bariga and Gbagada communities.
Falana described the arbitrary renaming of streets without consulting the people of Bariga and Gbagada as smacking of authoritarianism.
According to Falana, naming of roads and streets, and numbering of houses in any part of Nigeria is one of the exclusive functions of local governments outlined in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended but the renaming done in Lagos was the usurpation of powers by certain specificuals and Local Council Development Areas.
He said, “However, we have confirmed that the Charley Boy Bus Stop was not named by the authorities of the Bariga Local Council Development Area by the people of Bariga and Gbagada communities. Notwithstanding that fact, it should be adequately appreciated that the Charley Boy Bus stop acquired its name and identity sociologically for its apparent functionality and due to the positive impact which Charley Boy has historically made in the area. Renaming the Charley Boy Bus Stop without consulting the Bariga and Gbadaga people smacks of authoritarianism.
“It is sad to note that a state that has continued to retain the streets named after murderers and economic saboteurs from the former colonial empire is busy renaming streets and bus stops named after Nigerians who have made their contributions to the development of the society.
“In view of the serious objections to the diversionary renaming of streets in Lagos State, the legislative arms of the local governments should henceforth conduct public hearing.
“Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily without following the due process of the law with a view to pleasing the whims and caprices of political leaders or to suggest the retrogressive idea of ethnic chauvinism, particularly in a capital city like Lagos.”