Falana Slams Lagos Street Renaming, Calls It Unconstitutional and Undemocratic

Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has strongly criticised the recent wave of street and bus stop renaming in Lagos State, describing the move as unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a violation of due process.

In a statement released over the weekend, Falana condemned the actions of individuals and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), particularly citing the renaming of “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” by former Bariga LCDA Chairman Kolade Alabi, as well as the naming of streets after President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu without proper legal procedures.

He also referenced reports that billionaire Aliko Dangote named two streets in honour of his late friend Herbert Wigwe and President Tinubu, again without statutory approval.

Quoting the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Falana reminded public officials that the authority to name streets, assign house numbers, and manage roads is exclusively vested in local government councils. He also cited the legal precedent set in Chief Obidi Ume v. Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, where a High Court ruled that only the Abuja Municipal Area Council had the power to name roads within its jurisdiction.

“The usurpation of the exclusive functions of local governments on street naming by certain individuals and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State cannot be justified under the Nigerian Constitution,” Falana stated.

He condemned the renaming of Charley Boy Bus Stop, calling it an act of disregard for local residents and their collective memory. “Charley Boy Bus Stop acquired its name sociologically due to its functionality and the positive impact which Charley Boy has historically made in the area,” he said. “Renaming it without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism.”

Falana also expressed concern over the state’s continued retention of street names that honour colonial figures associated with oppression, while names representing Nigerians who made meaningful contributions are arbitrarily replaced.

He called on legislative arms of local governments across Lagos to immediately halt all arbitrary renaming efforts and instead implement public hearings and proper legal procedures before making such decisions.

“Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily to please the whims and caprices of political leaders or to promote ethnic chauvinism, especially in a cosmopolitan capital city like Lagos,” Falana said.

He emphasized that such unilateral actions undermine constitutional principles, weaken community identity, and erode democratic values.