Mudashiru Obasa, the Lagos state House of Assembly Speaker, recently stirred the hornet nests with his comments concerning non-indigenes.
Obasa spoke after his re-election as the Lagos state House of Assembly Speaker.
His words:
“There would be laws…in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles, and we will reverse all that is reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes.
“Lagos is a 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.”
The comments of Obasa sparked outrage on social media, with many describing it as bigotry on full display.
David Hundeyin, a prominent journalist, wrote on Twitter:
“Non-indigenes” shouldn’t live and own property in Lagos (which you’re NOT even indigenous to), but your family members can live and own property in another country on another continent.
”People who open their mouths and leak jam talk before thinking it through.”
Rinu Oduala, a human rights activist, adopted the same line of thought.
She wrote:
”Lagos lawmakers are proposing a bill to ensure non-Lagosians don’t own property or businesses in Lagos. But they and their family members live and own properties in other countries on other continents.”
Dr Aloy Chife, a humanist and philospher, wrote:
”No nation ever dies suddenly. They die slowly from thousands of cuts inflicted by the poisonous knife of selfish interest and overweening personal ambition. From tribalism and religious bigotry, etc. Nigeria needs a fundamental course correction.”
Shehu Gazali Sadiq, a public commentator, advised the Igbos. He wrote:
“Isn’t it time for Igbos to pull out of the Yorubas’ Lagos and go to where they are welcomed? You contribute heavily to the Lagos state IGR through tax payments, and all you get from the Yoruba Ronu is jealousy, envy and hatred. Think about it.”
Joseph Onuorah, a grassroots mobilizer, had a different opinion. He wrote:
”I think Yorubas are already tired of one Nigeria. The issue is they are too afraid to say it, so they are acting it out. I foresee war if we don’t get to the table and hold a referendum. The Lagos Indigene bill is unconstitutional and bothering on treasonous!”
