De Renaissance Patriots Allege Plan to Deny Lagos Indigenes Constitutional Rights

The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has alleged that non-indigenes in Lagos State are seeking to capture political control of the state and deny indigenes their constitutional rights. 

The group, a socio-cultural organization representing Lagos indigenes, made this claim during a meeting with the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division on Tuesday.

The President of De Renaissance Patriots, Mr. Miftah Bolaji Are, addressing the gathering, emphasized that the group is non-partisan and dedicated to ensuring that Lagosians retain control of key political offices, including the governorship, deputy governorship, and speakership positions. 

Are, who recently assumed leadership of the group following the death of its founding president, Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele, asserted that non-indigenes, particularly from other southwestern states, are the real threat to Lagos indigenes, rather than the Igbos, who have often been blamed for attempting to dominate the state’s political landscape.

“We have no problem with the Igbo,” Are declared. “It is the South Westerners who are our problem. They have been taking land and approving certificates of occupancy for themselves. They are the ones trying to capture Lagos unjustifiably, not the Igbo.”

Are’s remarks were further elaborated in a statement read by former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd.), who serves as the alternate chairman of the De Renaissance Patriots’ Board of Trustees. 

According to the statement, many non-indigenes in Lagos are falsely claiming dual indigeneship, a violation of the law, to secure political positions in the state.

 The group also criticised the ruling elite for allegedly allowing non-indigenes to dominate key political offices in the state, leading to a situation where Lagosians are relegated to secondary roles.

“The objective of resident non-indigenes is to capture Lagos State politically and deny indigenes their constitutional rights,” the statement read. 

“How do you explain that six important political offices are often held by non-indigenes? They control the administration and resources of the state, using it to climb the political ladder at the expense of Lagosians.”

The Patriots highlighted several examples of this perceived injustice, including the appointment of Mrs. Ade-John, an Ogun State indigene, as a full-time minister representing Lagos. 

The group argued that Lagos deserves a full-time minister from among its own indigenes, rather than a non-indigene. 

The group also pointed out instances where non-indigenes, such as Senator Solomon Adeola (popularly known as Omo West), had used their connections in Lagos to secure political positions in other states.

The meeting was convened by the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu, who invited the De Renaissance Patriots to discuss their ongoing efforts to advocate for Lagosians’ rights. In his response, the President of the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, praised the group’s efforts and expressed support for their cause. 

“The struggle for indigenes’ rights to govern Lagos State is one that no one must shy away from,” Rotinwa stated. “It is a cause that must be embraced by all Lagos indigenes.”

The De Renaissance Patriots concluded by calling on Lagos indigenes to stand up and contest all available elective positions, emphasizing that the time for Lagosians to govern themselves is now.

 General Olanrewaju, in his closing remarks, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Enough is enough! Indigenes must stand up and contest for all available positions to show that Lagosians can govern themselves.”

The meeting ended with a standing ovation for the De Renaissance Patriots, signaling broad support for their agenda among the Ikorodu Eminent Persons.

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