De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, a socio-political group, has asked Senate President Godswill Akpabio to halt the confirmation of two ambassadorial nominees listed as representing Lagos, claiming that neither is an indigene of the state.
In an open letter released to the media on Friday and signed by Miftau Bolaji Are, president of the foundation, and Lateef A. Onikoyi, steering committee member, the organisation said the nominations violate fairness, constitutional balance and the federal character principle.
The group said Lagos is “the only state where ambassadorial and other federal appointments meant for its people are consistently assigned to non-indigenes”, describing the situation as a “persistent injustice”.
The foundation alleged that one of the nominees hails from Delta and Kwara states despite being listed as representing Lagos, and is a sister to the first lady.
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The group also criticised the second nominee, accusing him of previously making derogatory remarks questioning the identity and legitimacy of indigenous Lagosians.
“The most recent ambassadorial nominations for Lagos State further entrench this anomaly,” the group said.
“The second nominee is also not an indigene of Lagos State. More concerning, he has publicly questioned the very existence and legitimacy of indigenous Lagosians. On an indigenous community platform, he asked: ‘Awon wo ni omo Eko na, melo ni won papa?’ (Who are these so-called Lagos indigenes and how many are they anyway?)
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“Such a statement is not only dismissive; it is profoundly disrespectful to the ancestral owners of Lagos. He neither belongs to nor respect the people they are purportedly nominated to represent.
“This practice violates the spirit and letter of the federal character principle, erodes constitutional balance, and undermines the rightful place of indigenous Lagos communities within the Nigerian federation. Worse, it sets a damaging precedent that the rights of one indigenous group may be trampled upon without consequence.
“Your Excellency, this matter transcends Lagos. It is a national question of fairness, justice, and constitutional integrity.
“We therefore respectfully urge the senate, under your distinguished leadership, to withhold confirmation of any nominee presented as a Lagos representative who is not a bona fide indigene of Lagos State.
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“We seek no special favour, only the same fairness that every other state enjoys unchallenged. We trust in your commitment to justice, equity, and the preservation of national cohesion. We are confident that under your leadership, the senate will ensure Lagos is treated with the dignity and constitutional respect accorded to all states of the federation. We remain ready to appear before the relevant Committees whenever required.”
