…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
Labour Party governorship candidate for the 2023 Lagos state election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has strongly criticized the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, for reportedly stating that the Assembly will enact laws to safeguard the property rights of indigenes.
Rhodes-Vivour’s reaction comes after Obasa, in his acceptance speech following his re-election as Speaker, declared Lagos as a Yoruba land and pledged that lawmakers would go to great lengths to protect the state’s indigenes, even if it meant reversing existing laws.
Divisive Property Rights Law Undermines Lagos’ Economic Interests, Says Rhodes-Vivour
Expressing his concerns on Twitter, Rhodes-Vivour cautioned the Speaker against enacting laws that would create divisions among Lagos residents based on ethnicity.
The former gubernatorial candidate argued that any legislation aimed at favoring indigenous people of Lagos state at the expense of other residents and reversing property rights was divisive and not in line with the economic interests of Lagos.
He emphasized that such a move would undermine the fundamental rights of residents, as protected by the country’s constitution, and urged well-meaning Lagosians to oppose the “divisive bill.”
Rhodes-Vivour further highlighted the potential negative impact of the proposed law on local and international investment in Lagos’ economy.
He stated that by considering such a regressive bill, the Speaker was disregarding the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and perpetuating a discriminatory system that divided society along ethnic lines.
The candidate emphasized that the legislation would undermine the principle of private ownership and could severely affect investment, economic growth, and overall prosperity in Lagos State.
He warned that the Speaker’s actions would send a damaging message to investors, both local and international, thereby discouraging their participation and confidence in the state’s economy.
Advocating for Protection of Heritage and Traditional Institutions
In addition to opposing the divisive property rights law, Rhodes-Vivour called on the Assembly to prioritize legislation aimed at protecting heritage, historical sites, and traditional institutions from political vandalism.
He urged the Speaker and the Assembly to consider laws that would safeguard these cultural assets, thereby preserving the rich heritage of Lagos.