By Our Reporter
A Lagos socio-cultural organisation, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to halt the confirmation of two ambassadorial nominees listed as representing Lagos State, alleging that neither individual is an indigene of the state.
De Renaissance Patriots Foundation made the call in an open letter addressed to the Senate President, and signed by its President, Mr. Miftau Bolaji Are, and steering committee member, Engr. (Dr.) Lateef A. Onikoyi, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Friday, positing that the nominations violated the principles of fairness, constitutional balance, and Federal Character.
The group, while making the appeal, sadly noted that Lagos remained the only state where ambassadorial and other Federal appointments meant for its people "are consistently assigned to non-indigenes," describing such situation as a "persistent injustice."
The Foundation alleged that one of the nominees, Mrs. Lola Akande, hailed from Delta and Kwara states, and further alleged that the second nominee had previously made derogatory remarks questioning the identity and legitimacy of indigenous Lagosians.
"The most recent ambassadorial nominations for Lagos State further entrench this anomaly:
"This practice violates the spirit and letter of the Federal Character principle, erodes constitutional balance, and undermines the rightful place of indigenous Lagos communities within the Nigerian federation. Worse, it sets a damaging precedent that the rights of one indigenous group may be trampled upon without consequence.
"Your Excellency, this matter transcends Lagos. It is a national question of fairness, justice, and constitutional integrity.
“We, therefore, respectfully urge the Senate, under your distinguished leadership, to withhold confirmation of any nominee presented as a Lagos representative who is not a bona fide indigene of Lagos State.
“We seek no special favour, only the same fairness that every other state enjoys unchallenged.
"We trust in your commitment to justice, equity, and the preservation of national cohesion. We are confident that under your leadership, the Senate will ensure Lagos is treated with the dignity and constitutional respect accorded to all states of the federation.
“We remain ready to appear before the relevant Committees whenever required," the letter read.
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