A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticised the recent decision to rename streets and bus stops in Lagos.
Last week, Kolade David, the outgoing chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), announced the renaming of several streets in the area.
David said the decision was made to recognise individuals who have elevated Bariga’s reputation through their contributions.
Among the changes, Charly Boy Bus Stop was renamed Baddo Bus Stop in recognition of popular rapper Olamide ‘Baddo’ Adedeji.
King Sunny Ade, singer 9ice, artiste Tony Tetuila, and Nigerian-born Arsenal footballer Bukayo Saka also had streets renamed in their honour.
On Sunday, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, expressed strong disapproval of the renaming of the street, alleging that the decision was influenced by the government’s discomfort with his longstanding activism against injustice.
‘BREACH OF CONSTITUTION’
In a statement, Femi Falana (SAN) clarified that only local government councils possess the constitutional authority to rename streets and assign house numbers.
The human rights lawyer raised concerns about the legitimacy of the LCDA’s action in renaming streets. He pointed out that the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos were established in 2003 during President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as governor.
However, he noted that these LCDAs are not officially recognised under the 1999 Constitution, which only provides for 20 local government areas in the state.
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In 2004, the administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo withheld federal allocations meant for Lagos LGAs, arguing that the creation of LCDAs violated constitutional provisions.
In response, the Lagos State Government approached the courts. The Supreme Court ruled that although a state can establish LCDAs, they will remain administrative entities unless the National Assembly amends the constitution to formally recognise them as LGAs.
Recently, federal lawmakers from Lagos have renewed efforts to amend the constitution, seeking full recognition of the LCDAs as legitimate local governments.
Falana referenced a court decision affirming that only the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has the legal power to name roads and streets within its domain.
“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,” the statement reads.
Falana further criticised the renaming of Charley Boy Bus Stop, stating that the local community was not consulted before the change was implemented.
He argued that the action ignored the views of residents and disrespected the cultural identity of the area.
“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,” he said.
“Renaming it without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism.”
Falana called on Lagos authorities to put an end to the unilateral renaming of public landmarks, stressing the importance of engaging the community before making such decisions.