Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi, a respected Yoruba elder and senior citizen, has publicly condemned a document circulated under the name “Yoruba Elders Progressive Council (YEPC)” that called for policies to curb the influence of Igbo residents in Lagos. In a strong rebuttal, Dr. Akinyemi described the unsigned document as “ethnic bile” and “shameful,” arguing that its contents are unconstitutional and dangerous.
The YEPC document, titled “Our Land, Our Identity: Lagos State Government Must Act Before We’re Made Strangers at Home,” had raised concerns about Igbo property ownership and political participation in Lagos.
In his detailed response, Dr. Akinyemi, who identifies as a disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, addressed what he called the “poisonous points” of the YEPC statement. He asserted that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to live, work, own property, and vote anywhere in the country, and that Lagos is a federated state, not a “tribal empire.”
Dr. Akinyemi dismissed the claim that Igbo property ownership is a threat, calling it a “mischievous and misleading” narrative driven by “the politics of envy.” He highlighted that the city’s prosperity is a result of its inclusive spirit, which has allowed diverse groups to contribute.
Furthermore, he condemned the YEPC’s policy proposals, including a suggestion to reduce the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for non-Yorubas from 100 years to 25, labeling it as “xenophobic and illegal.” He argued that such a policy is a direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and could lead to retaliatory measures against Yorubas living in other parts of the country.
Dr. Akinyemi also called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to issue a statement distancing his administration from the YEPC document, which he suspects may be a political strategy. He urged all “true Yoruba sons and daughters” and civil society to reject the “tribal madness” and called on the media to stand against ethnic division.
He concluded his statement by citing historical examples of cosmopolitan leadership in Lagos, including the governorships of Igbo military officers and the inclusive governance of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a disciple of Awolowo, to counter the YEPC’s narrative of ethnic exclusion. Dr. Akinyemi cautioned that allowing such rhetoric to become state policy could lead to a volatile situation in Lagos.
