Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticised the naming of streets in Lagos as illegal and suggestive of “ethnic chauvinism.”

Falana, who stated this on Sunday, called for public hearings before the naming of streets, adding that it should not be done arbitrarily.

Recall that the authorities had been conducting renaming of streets in Lagos with the latest being the “Charly Boy Bus Stop” renamed “Baddo Bus Stop”, as well as Aliko Dangote’s naming of two streets in Lagos after his late friend, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and President Bola Tinubu.

However, Falana said the naming of roads and streets, and numbering of houses in any part of Nigeria is one of the exclusive functions of local governments outlined in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended noting that the renaming done in Lagos was the usurpation of powers by certain individuals and Local Council Development Areas.

“However, we have confirmed that the Charley Boy Bus Stop was not named by the authorities of the Bariga Local Council Development Area by the people of Bariga and Gbagada communities. No withstanding that fact, it should be adequately appreciated that the Charley Boy Bus stop acquired its name and identity sociologically for its apparent functionality and due to the positive impact which Charley Boy has historically made in the area. Renaming the Charley Boy Bus Stop without consulting the Bariga and Gbadaga people smacks of authoritarianism,” he said.

“It is sad to note that a state that has continued to retain the streets named after murderers and economic saboteurs from the former colonial empire is busy renaming streets and bus stops named after Nigerians who have made their contributions to the development of the society.

“In view of the serious objections to the diversionary renaming of streets in Lagos State, the legislative arms of the local governments should henceforth conduct public hearing.

“Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily without following the due process of the law with a view to pleasing the whims and caprices of political leaders or to suggest the retrogressive idea of ethnic chauvinism, particularly in a capital city like Lagos.” (Weekend Trust)