Former Minister of Communications, Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), has described renaming of some streets and bus stops in Lagos as “inconceivable injustice.”

Daily Trust reports there have been controversy over renaming of some streets and bus stops by the former Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kolade Alabi.

Examples such as the renaming are “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” as well as the naming of two streets after President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

General Olanrewaju in a statement made available to our correspondent in Lagos on, Tuesday, argued that these changes are unethical and represent “a significant injustice to the indigenous people of Lagos.”

Olanrewaju cited ethical concerns as he described the renaming of streets as an “inconceivable injustice,” emphasizing that such actions typically reflect a disregard for the longstanding identity of Lagos and its citizens.

He called on current leaders, whom he described as “temporary power controllers,” to honour and preserve the city’s historical legacy rather than replace it with names that have no local significance.

On cultural and historical significance, the Retired General underscored that many of the newly designated street names lack a connection to the local culture and history of Lagos.

He articulated concerns about the “obliteration” of the landmark history of communities within Lagos, warning that such actions distort the rich heritage that the city holds.

On political context, Olanrewaju referenced the shift in political power dynamics in Lagos since 1999, suggesting that there has been marginalization of indigenous peoples by non-indigenes within governance frameworks.

He highlighted that the current changes “are part of a broader trend that threatens the representation and voice of the local populace.”

He also urged both the government and the citizens of Lagos State to advocate for restoration of the original street names, which he believes are integral to the identity of the city.

“Lagos State today has lost its indigeneity rights to keep her old legacy street names, and they are now being replaced with new names by newly elected political administrators.

“These resident usurper administrators must be made to understand that they hold this political power temporarily. It is just for a short time. They are now changing old street names to undeserved new identities who have no connection to the land, forgetting that they will govern for a short time.

“The new beneficiaries of the street name change have contributed nothing significant in terms of developments and have no connections to the land they hold in trust for the people.

“These politicians are obliterating the landmark history of our communities and state. They should revert to the old street names,” Olanrewaju said.

He, however, also seized the statement to put the record straight to the political activist, Omoyele Sowore, over his comment that Lagos does not belong to a specific tribe.

“Whilst I agree with Sowore that renaming of Lagos streets is politically motivated, his knowledge of Lagos as a “No Man’s Land” brings out his lack of historical understanding of Lagos pre-colonial and imperial administration leading to Lagos becoming a colony under British rule. Lagos existed before Nigeria became a country in 1914. Probably, Sowore was born when history as a subject was removed as a subject of study in the country,” he said. (Daily Trust, but headline rejigged)