Indigenous Lagosians fault ‘peripheral participants’ role in state’s affairs, task Sanwo-Olu

A group of distinguished Lagosians with ancestral origin in the state have faulted what they described as an increasing imbalance in the appointment to public office, which they described as an aberration.

The group, Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum, in a statement on Wednesday, lamented that in Lagos today, “the indigenes are deliberately marginalized, elbowed out of reckoning in the political and administrative sectors”.

The group further lamented that “We are now reduced to the role of peripheral participants, flung into inconsequential orbit, draped in the robe of the scorned, the unwanted, the stranded orphans without succor,” adding that “This aberration cannot and should not continue.”

In the statement, jointly signed by Maj. Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd) and Chief Olabode George, pray that God will guide Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu aright in “in these important matters.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

Lest they Forget : We are marginalized.

The Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum, an association of distinguished Lagosians with common interest , with patent ancestral values and vision , is displeased with the increasing imbalance in the appointment  to public office in our state.

Yes, Lagos state is accommodating, easily embracing, deepened in effortless kindness and friendship to everyone regardless of ethnic provenance. Here we treat none as outsiders. We give comfort, genuine friendship to all without prejudice.

But alas, our instinctive amity , our spirit of brotherhood is being abused, disfigured as perhaps a sign of weakness.  For how do you explain this festering anomaly where the indigenes are deliberately marginalized, elbowed out of reckoning in the political and administrative sectors of our state.

We are now reduced to the role of peripheral participants, flung into inconsequential  orbit, draped in the robe of the scorned, the unwanted, the stranded orphans without succor.

This aberration cannot and should not continue. The essence of state creation is to rectify the ills of marginalization and give the natives of specific states a sense of belonging and ancestral attachment.


In  the early 1990’s I had the privilege of being the Chairman  of the Assets sharing Committee  of Anambra, Enugu, Delta , Yobe and  Borno states which was within the purview of the late  Admiral Aikhomu’s office.


Whereas I was the Commander, Corps of Artillery this new  assignment put me virtually at the frontline of ensuring that the indigenes of the newly created states were allowed to define their collective destinies and maintain their cultural heritage without erosion from external forces.

It was a challenge to my personal probity that I should ensure  equity, fairness, natural justice to make sure that grievances and the seeds of discord were adequately thrashed out for amity to reign in the newly created states.

It is this same nudging for fairness which informs the leadership of Ọmọ EKo Pataki in our collective insistence as a people that we must be given our rightful and deserved place in our state of origin.

We do not say that non-indigenes should be cast aside. Far from it. We only urge that the native Lagosians should have a natural pride of place in their state of origin.

We equally implore the federal government to strengthen the security architecture of our state with a strong military aid to civil authorities by citing a Special Forces Air Wing  Base  in Epe or whatever suitable location to  help curb the sudden explosion of banditry across the length and breadth of our state.

We hold no one any malice. We are not interested in chasing anyone out of our state. But we cannot be treated like the orphaned and the alienated Red Indians upon our own soil. We are basically exhorting that justice, fair play , decency and equity should be observed to ensure the inclusive participation of our people in the affairs of our state.  We pray that the Almighty Allah will  guide Governor Sanwo-Olu aright in these important matters.
⁃ For and on behalf of Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum
⁃ Chief Olabode George, CON
⁃ Atọna Odua of Yorubaland
⁃ Leader, Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum
⁃
⁃ Rtd Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, ndc
⁃ Former GOC  3rd Armored Division, Jos.
 Trusteee Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum.