Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly condemned the recent renaming of streets in parts of Lagos State, describing the move as a politically and ethnically motivated act aimed at erasing the history and identity of indigenous Lagos communities.
In a statement personally signed and released to the public, Sowore said he was appalled by video footage showing officials of the Lagos State Government “arrogantly and garrulously” renaming streets across the city.
He accused the state government of carrying out the exercise with “brazen disregard for public sentiment” and described the entire process as “ill-conceived and divisive.”
“This attempt to erase indigenous history in Lagos is not only politically and ethnically motivated, but it also shows the level of contempt this government has for its citizens,” Sowore said.
“What we are witnessing is not development, but a dangerous rewriting of history,” he added.
Sowore warned that such actions could deepen ethnic tensions and undermine the multicultural harmony that Lagos is known for.
He called on the government to immediately halt the renaming process and engage in broader consultation with residents and community leaders before making such sensitive decisions.
The street renaming saga has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians accusing the government of deliberately targeting names and identities associated with certain ethnic groups, particularly the indigenes of Lagos.
Critics say the trend reflects a broader political agenda aimed at diminishing the cultural heritage of the original owners of Lagos land.
While the Lagos State Government has yet to issue a detailed explanation for the renaming, observers say the controversy risks further inflaming tensions between different communities in the state.
Sowore urged citizens to resist the imposition peacefully and continue to defend their cultural identity against what he described as “state-sponsored erasure.”
