‘Apologise to residents,’ Jandor slams Obasa, LAHA

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18, 2023 election, Alhaji Olajide Abdulal-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has joined in the hail of condemnations against recent statement credited to the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly (LAHA) over the latter’s claims of a move to enact a reversal of the state’s property and business owners laws for to favour and protect indigenes of the state.’

According to Jandor, it is necessary for Obasa and the Lagos State House of Assembly to’ tender a public apology to residents’ for his statement which could ‘incite misunderstanding and affect the peace in the state.’

It would be recalled that Speaker of LAHA, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa had disclosed, Tuesday that the House would pass laws to safeguard Yoruba indigenes in the state.

Obasa said the 10th Assembly’s legislative agenda would include laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles, and reversal of ‘all that is reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes.’

This is also as he hinted at some of the controversies in the build-up to the 2023 elections, including the argument that non-indigenes wanted to take over the state, declared that Lagos is a Yoruba land.

“Lagos is Yoruba land as against the assertions of some people that it is a no man’s land.

“Therefore, part of our legislative agenda is to ensure the translation of laws passed by this House to the Yoruba language.

“We also aim at achieving our collective goals of creating a robust legislative framework that protects the interest of our people.

“Going forward in this wise, we are going to employ all legislative instruments for the support of the indigenes of Lagos.

“There would be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles and we will reverse all that are reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes,” Obasa said in his acceptance speech after he was unanimously re-elected as speaker of the Lagos Assembly.

Obasa, was re-elected speaker of the assembly for a third consecutive term.

Reacting earlier, the Labour Party governorship candidate, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour had said the move by Obasa and the Assembly is ‘unconstitutional,’ adding that making laws favouring only the Yoruba indigenes of the state ‘not only undermines the fundamental rights of individuals but also poses a significant threat to the principles of inclusivity and social cohesion that our great nation, Nigeria, stands for.’

Rhodes-Vivour, also a Lagos indigene, said in a circular released via his Twitter page on Thursday, that the planned legislation if allowed to proceed would jeopardise economic development and individual empowerment of the state.

“As a politician deeply committed to upholding the principles of fairness, equality, and justice, I strongly condemn the comments of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly for considering a bill that seeks to reverse property rights in favor of indigenes at the expense of the constitutional recognition of citizenship.

“This move not only undermines the fundamental rights of individuals but also poses a significant threat to the principles of inclusivity and social cohesion that our great nation, Nigeria, stands for.

“The Nigerian Constitution, which serves as the supreme law of the land, recognizes the rights of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, to own and enjoy property. This fundamental constitutional provision is grounded in the belief that every citizen should be treated equally under the law, irrespective of their origin or indigeneship. It is a crucial pillar of our democracy and must be safeguarded at all costs.

“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. Regrettably, this move threatens to erode our progress in promoting unity, national integration, and equal opportunities for all Nigerians.

“Furthermore, it is crucial to recognise that property rights are vital to economic development and individual empowerment. 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.

Meanwhile, adding his voice against the planned Lagos Assembly move, Jandor also condemned comments made by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, as he asked the latter to apologise to tender a public apology to residents for his comments.

According to Jandor, in a statement issued though the Head, Media and Communications for Jandor4Governor Campaign Organisation, Friday, Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, ‘ there was a need for public office holders to do away with matters that could spring up misunderstanding and further affect the peace in the state.’

“Such statements are interpreted such comments as reckless and volatile,” said Jandor, as he further noted that ‘other non-Yoruba speaking residents should rather be acknowledged by the government for their huge economic contribution to the viability of the state.’