Falana Slams Lagos Street Renaming As Illegal, Unconstitutional

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has condemned the recent renaming of streets and bus stops in Lagos State, describing the move as illegal, authoritarian, and a breach of the 1999 Constitution. He noted that only local government councils, as outlined in the Fourth Schedule, have the authority to name streets and roads.

Falana cited cases such as the renaming of “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop,” as well as streets named after President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Herbert Wigwe by Aliko Dangote all allegedly done without statutory approval.

He also referenced the court case Chief Obidi Ume v. Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, which affirmed the exclusive powers of local governments in such matters. He warned that altering Igbo-sounding street names in Lagos suggests ethnic prejudice and undermines unity.