Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticised the renaming of streets and public spaces in Lagos, describing the trend as unlawful and undemocratic.
Falana faulted the recent renaming of the popular “Charly Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” by Kolade Alabi, former chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
In a statement over the weekend, Falana said the practice violates the 1999 constitution, which vests the authority to name and number streets exclusively in local government councils.
“The usurpation of the exclusive functions of local governments on street naming by certain individuals and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos state cannot be justified under the Nigerian constitution,” he said.
Falana particularly condemned the renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop, which he described as a landmark named by the Bariga and Gbagada communities.
His words: “Charly Boy Bus Stop acquired its name sociologically due to its functionality and the positive impact which Charly Boy has historically made in the area.
“Renaming it without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism.”
He also criticised the continued retention of colonial-era street names while those honouring Nigerians with positive contributions are being changed.
He called on the legislative arms of local governments in Lagos to stop the arbitrary renaming of streets and adopt transparent processes, including public hearings, to ensure community participation.
“Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily to please the whims and caprices of political leaders or to promote ethnic chauvinism, especially in a cosmopolitan capital city like Lagos,” he said.
Falana emphasised the need for inclusivity and community involvement in decision-making on street and public space naming.
NOT REALY, JUST THE AUTHORITARIANISM OF YOUR OWN SELF ALLUDING CYNICISM. JUST GOT IS MIXED UP san.
And the PEOPLE OF Pedro and Bariga through their local government chair renamed the subject areas. Therefore, what is the veins strained screams by this man who is fast losing the once accorded respect he earned over the years for arguments in substance.
This fellow has reduced his towering giant status to the lower ebb of a midget.
HIS RECENT INTERVENTIONS IN THE SOCIOPOLITCS OF Nigeria ONLY EXPOSED HIS MYOPIC VIEWS ON SUBJECT MATTERS AND HAS BECOME QUESTIONABLE.
And I can cite instances. How about his interpretations of the misguided Natasha and the Rivers’s political mess where he has been proven wrong with the turn of events. The same Falana will go all out to aid and abet the NLC in misplaced mischief. I can go on.
Falana has been mentioned in series of wanton unwarranted hogwash unbefitting any legacy he might be dreaming of bequeathing.
The bouts of his recent legal spouts are bunch of illegal summersaults, jumping into mundane petty nonsenses that should not be found in his orbit.
Femi Falana has become a nauseating public character.
WHAT A GRAVE DISAPPOINTMENT!