Former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Retd.), has announced that measures are being planned to prevent non-indigenes from holding key political positions in Lagos during the 2027 elections. As the Alternate Chairman of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, based in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Olanrewaju expressed concern over the ongoing exclusion of Lagos indigenes from significant political roles, claiming the situation is orchestrated by the ruling political elite, many of whom are non-indigenes.
In a statement, Olanrewaju lamented that Lagos indigenes have been marginalized in the state’s political landscape. He emphasized that since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, only once has the state been governed by an indigene, despite constitutional provisions that should protect their rights.
He said, “Lagos State offers significant economic and developmental advantages, which has intensified the competition for control of the state’s resources. The argument that the indigenous population is too small to make a difference is a false narrative, with no data to back it up.”
Olanrewaju claimed that non-indigenes have increasingly taken over political positions in Lagos, with about 60% of elected officials at the National Assembly, State Assembly, and local governments being non-Lagosians. He argued that this dominance by non-indigenes has relegated Lagosians to the background in their own state.
Olanrewaju further criticized the misuse of constitutional provisions that grant freedom of movement and residency, accusing non-indigenes of taking advantage of these rights to secure political power in Lagos. According to him, many of these non-indigenes hold dual citizenship and use Lagos merely as a stepping stone to advance their political careers while denying true Lagosians their rightful opportunities.
He also raised concerns about the broader implications of this situation, drawing parallels between the marginalization of Lagosians and the instability seen in other regions of the country, including the oil-rich Niger Delta, the insurgency in the North East, and rising insecurity across various states.
Olanrewaju emphasized the importance of Lagosians reclaiming political control, saying, “Indigenes must stand up and contest every available political position, from the governorship to local government seats. They should not be intimidated or pushed aside by political bullies. The residency factor has been used as a tool of political oppression, and it’s time for Lagosians to take back control of their state.”
He concluded by calling on all Lagosians, particularly those from the five divisions of the state, to ensure that only indigenes are nominated for key political positions in the 2027 elections. “This advocacy is about demanding human dignity and standing up for what is right, even if we must stand alone,” Olanrewaju said.
Discover more from Destkelamedia
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.