The indigenes of Lagos State have expressed their intention to reject a proposed Bill seeking to return Nigeria to a regional government system.
Speaking through the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, the indigenes, via a statement from their Media Office, indicated that the Bill, which aims to gain approval from the National Assembly to re-establish a regional system, will be considered soon.
However, they firmly stated that the people of Lagos State will not participate in joining the Western Region.
Adelani Adeniji-Adele, speaking for the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, declared: “This proposed or suggested Bill is a troubling sign for us from Lagos State. It represents yet another attempt to forcefully integrate our aspirations into a larger group that contradicts our beliefs as indigenes of this state.
“The primary concern is that extensive consultations were not conducted to determine if merging into another subgroup aligns with our desires. Such an assumption cannot be made universally.
“Historically, since Lagos and its surrounding areas became a colony, we have consistently preferred a standalone status, separate from any Western Region or Province.
“In recent times, various Indigenous groups from Lagos have consistently maintained that we, as indigenes of Lagos, have faced significant disadvantages from our South West neighbors. These neighbors are solely focused on marginalizing us and view our state as a ‘spoil of war.’
“We recall that over the past century, Lagos indigenes, in their various forms, towns, and villages, have never experienced progress and development as part of any region, particularly not the Western Region. The brief period when our state was part of the Western Region was an anomaly.
“Assumptions should not be made regarding the content of this proposed Bill, especially if it includes Lagos State as part of any region. We demand a referendum to accurately reflect the wishes of the people.
“We, the indigenes of Lagos State, categorically do not wish to be part of the regional state proposed in the Bill seeking to return Nigeria to regional government.
Our leaders and traditional rulers opposed this idea in 1953, and we found relief in 1967. We, the descendants of our past heroes, will not accept it.
“We urge our representatives in the National Assembly to consult elder statesmen and stakeholders before taking any action on the Bill. This issue transcends party politics and state government affairs.
Lagos State cannot be reduced to insignificance through the South West Region proposal in this Bill introduced surreptitiously.
“The enduring cry of our struggle during colonial rule remains relevant.”
