Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the necessity for Lagos State to be granted Special Status, emphasizing that this request is long overdue.
According to Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hazmat, this request has become imperative due to the state’s strategic position, particularly as the former federal capital, and the accompanying burdens.
The Governor, while addressing the South-West Centre A (Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States) Lagos Centre Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Watercress Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday, made a request and reiterated the need for State Police, emphasizing that state policing is not merely a matter of semantics, but rather a means of protecting the people.
He observed that whenever a government relocates its capital from one state to another, it customarily grants the original state a special status, rather than leaving it to bear the burden.
Therefore, he appealed to the federal government to grant Lagos a special status as a former federal capital, in the interest of fairness to its people.
He said, “Any State that was once the federal capital of the nation can not just inherit the assets and liabilities of the entire country, but then be forgotten of the responsibilities that come with those assets. As a nation, let us be fair to the people of Lagos by granting the state a special status.”
Furthermore, the Governor emphasized the importance of the National Assembly ensuring the inclusion of the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the Constitution, highlighting their role in bringing governance closer to the people and accelerating grassroots development in the state since their creation in 2003, and the need for their formal recognition in the Constitution.
He observed that the public hearing presents a unique opportunity for the people of Lagos and the South West region to contribute meaningfully to shaping the nation’s supreme law, going beyond a mere chapter in the country’s constitutional history.
He said, “As we embark on this critical process of reviewing our constitution, we must be guided by the principles of inclusiveness, equity, and justice. We must listen to everyone, men and women, young and old, from all corners of our communities. Their hopes, worries, and dreams should shape the amendments that come out of this process.”
While commending the Committee of House Representatives for their dedication to a transparent and inclusive review process, he charged all stakeholders and citizens to participate by canvassing their views with clarity of purpose.
The Governor reaffirmed that his government is fully committed to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. “We will keep supporting all initiatives aimed at strengthening our constitutional framework and deepening the roots of our democracy,” he said.
Rt. Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim Ayokunle, Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and Chairman South West Centre ‘A’, previously stated that the committee is fully committed to conducting the review process with utmost fairness, openness, and transparency.
He highlighted that they acknowledge the importance of stakeholders’ voices and the critical role each plays in shaping the nation’s future. Ayokunle added that the committee’s goal is to ensure the review reflects the diverse aspirations of the people, upholding justice and equity. He stressed that the committee will ensure the review process is transparent, keeping all stakeholders informed at every step.
The Chairman provided assurance that all memoranda and suggestions addressed to the committee would undergo meticulous consolidation and receive due consideration at the national assembly level.
The Speakers of the Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo State House of Assemblies, in their goodwill messages, pledged support for the constitutional recognition of Traditional Rulers, decentralization of power, state police, and the inclusion of Local Council Development Areas in the constitution, alongside other pressing regional issues.
