The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has condemned the plan by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, to make laws to protect the property right of indigenes.
In his acceptance speech after his re-election as the speaker, Obasa allegedly said lawmakers will go to any length in protecting the state’s indigenes, even if it means reversing existing law.
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In a series of tweets on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour cautioned the speaker against laws that will divide Lagos residents along ethnic lines, warning that any enacted law that seeks to reverse property rights in favour of the indigenous people of Lagos state at the expense of other residents is divisive and not in the economic interest of Lagos.
The LP candidate described such a move as an attempt to undermine the fundamental right of residents as enshrined in the country’s constitution. He stated that well-meaning residents of Lagos should resist what he described as “the divisive bill”.
“By considering this regressive bill, the Speaker disregards the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and perpetuates a discriminatory system that divides our society along ethnic lines,” he stated.
“The proposed bill undermines the principle of private ownership and could severely affect investment, economic growth, and overall prosperity in Lagos State. By considering such legislation, the Speaker is sending a damaging message to local and international investors, discouraging their participation and confidence in the state’s economy,”
Rather than the assembly promulgating such a law, Rhodes-Vivour advocated for state laws that would “protect heritage, historical sites, and traditional institutions from political vandalism.”
He also urged the state government to stick to its duty of catering to the welfare of its citizens, irrespective of the state of origin.
