Vanguard reports that Maj. Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, the former minister of communications, expressed grave concerns about the political representation of indigenous people in Lagos State. He questioned the processes that decide who in the state’s governance serves the interests of the indigenous people.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
“The question that needs to be answered lies in who stands for the political interest of the indigenes in the affairs of government,” he stated.
Olanrewaju’s remarks highlight a broader issue of representation in Nigerian politics, particularly in Lagos, where he argues that indigenes have been largely sidelined.
Olanrewaju emphasized the need for clarity on who decides the qualifications for political office in the National and State Assemblies.
“Who also determines who qualifies to represent Lagos State in the National and State Assemblies, and also who could fill appointment quotas, from within and outside the state?” he asked, pointing out that the political dynamics have marginalized local voices.
His critique centers on the idea that while the Constitution may provide a framework for governance, it has not adequately addressed the unique needs and rights of the indigenous population.
The former minister’s comments are particularly poignant when considering the political landscape since the onset of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
He highlighted a stark reality: “For 25 years, Lagos State has remained the only state in the whole of the federation since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 that has not been governed by an indigene with the right of blood except once.”
This observation raises questions about the representation of local interests and the ongoing influence of external political forces.
Olanrewaju contends that existing political parties have systematically excluded indigenes from key positions of power.
“The existing political parties take the liberty to always deny the indigenes of the state to fill the most important political posts during elections and running of government,” he argued.
This exclusion not only affects political representation but also impacts policy decisions that resonate with the local populace.
He criticized the prevailing narrative that indigenous people do not possess the political acumen to hold office, calling it a “false” argument.
“The only argument that they usually pose, which is false, is that the indigenous population is not in our favour. There is no empirical data to prove this issue,” Olanrewaju asserted.
The implications of Olanrewaju’s statements resonate beyond Lagos State, touching upon broader themes of representation and governance across Nigeria.
His call for a reevaluation of who truly represents the interests of the local population underscores the necessity for political parties to reassess their criteria for candidacy and appointments.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
