The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) has faulted the recent renaming of streets in some local government areas.
“The Lagos PDP is hereby rejecting in totality the renaming of streets by some council chairmen. We should erase history because of politics,” said the PDP vice chairman (Lagos Central), Hakeem Olalemi.
“It is against the spirit of unity in diversity, and it will certainly affect the image of the state as a cosmopolitan state.”
The recent renaming of streets and public landmarks in the state has sparked reactions and protests.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday in Lagos, Mr Olalemi, who advised the ruling party to tread carefully, alleged the renaming targeted a section of society.
“We should be seen to be promoting unity and not to give the wrong impression to non-indigenes in the state.
“We have various ethnic nationalists in our state, who have contributed immensely to the development of our state, hence the reason why some streets were named after them initially.
“This current action by some council executives should be reconsidered. Most of the streets affected were bearing Igbo names before, and this leaves so many questions in the hearts of non-indigenes,” Mr Olalemi stated.
Describing the street remaining as unconstitutional, Mr Olalemi said the decision and consequent reactions showed that some leaders failed to consult widely.
“The APC should, as a matter of fact, revert to the status quo. If the steps were not reversed, the party could seek legal redress in court in order to preserve the identity of Lagos State as a cosmopolitan state.
“We cannot erase history in the name of politics. The ruling party should know that this renaming of streets arbitrarily can lead to riot, unrest and serious chaos if care is not taken,” he said.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, also recently condemned the change of street names as unconstitutional.
The residents of the Ilaje community in Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) had staged a protest on Wednesday, rejecting the recent renaming of their street “Ilaje Road” to “King Sunny Ade Road.”
Also, the LCDA renamed the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop in Gbagada, Lagos, after Nigerian singer Olamide Adedeji, also known as Baddo. The bus stop was renamed “Olamide Baddo Bus Stop.”
(NAN)