Don’t Enact Divisive Laws In “No Man’s Land”–Rhodes Warns Lagos, Speaker

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The Labour Party candidate for governor in Lagos State in the 2023 election, Rhodes Vivour
has denounced the claims made by Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, that the assembly will pass laws to safeguard indigenous peoples’ property rights.

He warned the Speaker against passing legislation that would create ethnic divisions among Lagos citizens. He issued a warning that any law passed that aims to reverse property rights in favour of Lagos state’s indigenous population at the detriment of other citizens is divisive and not in the city’s best interests economically.

This was according to a statement by Rhodes Vivour published on his official Twitter account on Thursday, June 9.

Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa had earlier stated in his acceptance address following his re-election that lawmakers would stop at nothing to safeguard the state’s natives, even if that meant overturning current legislation.

Rhodes Vivour referred to such a move as an attempt to undermine residents’ fundamental rights as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and urged Lagosians to oppose “the divisive bill”

He added that the speaker had disregarded the Nigerian constitution in proposing such legislation and that the measure would deter both domestic and foreign investment in Lagos’ economy.

The Speaker violates the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution by considering this retrograde law, which supports a discriminatory system that racially segregates our country.

“The proposed legislation would violate the idea of private property ownership and could hurt investment, economic expansion, and general prosperity in Lagos State. By contemplating such legislation, the Speaker is sending a negative signal to domestic and foreign investors, deterring their involvement and eroding their faith in the state’s economy.” Vivour said

Rhodes Vivour argued against passing such legislation and was in favour of state regulations that “protect heritage, historical sites, and traditional institutions from political vandalism.”

Additionally, he asked the state government to uphold its obligation to care for the well-being of all of its residents, regardless of where they were born.