Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Condemns the Proposed Economic War Declared Against Non-indigenes By Obasa-Led House of Assembly

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party gubernatorial flag bearer in Lagos State has risen with other well meaning Yoruba people to condemn the new war that had been declared against the Igbo people by the Lagos State House of Assembly with a view to dispossess them of their rightfully acquired businesses and properties.

The strategic war was declared by the third term Speaker if the House of Assembly in a public address.

Mudashiru Obasa had said, “Lagos is a Yoruba land, as opposed to the assertions of some people claiming it as no man’s land. Therefore, part of our legislative agenda is to ensure the translation of laws passed by this House into the Yoruba language.”

According to the speaker, the new land and property laws only favor indigenes. He stated, “We also aim to achieve our collective goals of creating a robust legislative framework that protects the interests of our people. Moving forward, we will utilize all legislative instruments to support the indigenes of Lagos. There will be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles, and we will reverse anything that can be reversed to protect the interests of the indigenes.”

It’s important to recall that during the presidential and governorship elections, many Igbos supported the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the LP for the state governorship election. The reactions following the victory of Peter Obi over Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on February 25, gave rise to these laws.

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour had taken to his Twitter handle to describe the proposed law as a ticket to the damnation of Lagos State as an economic hub.

“Land rights are key to development, “reversing reversibles” destroys the perception of a stable Lagos as an investment destination. This leads to huge youth unemployment. Warri was a thriving oil and oil service town 3 decades ago. Indigene hostilities destroyed that,” he had tweeted.

Included in his tweet was an image that is a scanned image of a document. Transcript of the text reads:

“Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize that property rights are vital to economic development and individual empowerment. The proposed bill undermines the principle of private ownership and could severely affect investment, economic growth, and overall prosperity in Lagos State. By considering such legislation, the Speaker is sending a damaging message to local and international investors, discouraging their participation and confidence in the state’s economy.

“For years, I have strongly advocated for state-sponsored scholarship programs targeting indigenous Lagosians and special housing, healthcare, and economic interventions. | also believe in affirmative action, where 50% of political appointments are reserved for indigenes. More importantly, I have advocated (and continue to advocate) for state laws that protect our heritage, historical sites, and traditional institution from political vandalism. Royal houses must be protected by the law to determine their Kings without political interference.

“Additionally, legislation delivering justice, in terms of financial compensation, for lands the government appropriated from indigenous families across Lagos state in Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ojo, Ikorodu, and Badagry is long overdue.”

"This statement is about land and property rights," he said. "The  biggest land grabbers are the Lagos state government.The biggest victims are the indigenes of Lagos. Mr. speaker, protect us from the state government first."