Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has condemned the recent renaming of streets and bus stops in Lagos State, calling the move unconstitutional and a breach of democratic principles.
In a statement, Falana argued that the renaming exercise, carried out without public consultation or legal backing, undermines the authority of elected local government councils as provided by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He cited the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, which vests the power to name streets, roads, and assign house numbers solely in the hands of local councils.
Falana referenced recent instances, such as the renaming of “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” by former Bariga LCDA Chairman, Kolade Alabi, as well as other streets named after President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the late Herbert Wigwe. He claimed these changes were made without statutory approvals or community involvement.
He also drew attention to a previous High Court judgment in Chief Obidi Ume v. Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, reaffirming that naming streets is the exclusive duty of local governments. Falana warned against what he described as “the usurpation of constitutional functions,” urging authorities to respect the rule of law and democratic processes.
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