Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has condemned the recent wave of street and bus stop renamings in Bariga, Lagos, describing the move as unconstitutional and carried out without public consultation.
Last week, Kolade David, the outgoing chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), announced the renaming of several streets and landmarks to honour individuals who have contributed to the area’s identity and reputation.
Among the changes, Charly Boy Bus Stop was renamed Baddo Bus Stop in honour of rapper Olamide ‘Baddo’ Adedeji. Other artists, including King Sunny Ade, 9ice, Tony Tetuila, and footballer Bukayo Saka, also had streets named after them.
But the move has sparked backlash.
On Sunday, Charles Oputa, the activist and musician known as Charly Boy, criticised the decision, suggesting it was an attempt to erase his long history of advocacy and resistance to government oppression.
In a statement, Falana backed Charly Boy and questioned the legality of the council’s actions.
“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,” he said.
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Falana argued that LCDAs, like the one in Bariga, lack the legal authority to rename streets or public places. He traced the origin of the issue to 2003, when then-governor Bola Tinubu created 37 LCDAs in Lagos. However, the 1999 Constitution only recognises 20 local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
In 2004, the Obasanjo administration withheld LGA allocations to Lagos, citing the unconstitutionality of the LCDAs. The Supreme Court later ruled that while states can create LCDAs, they remain administrative units until the National Assembly amends the Constitution to officially recognise them.
That amendment has not yet happened—meaning, in Falana’s view, the Bariga LCDA has no legal standing to rename public spaces.
He also cited a court ruling affirming that only the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has the legal right to name streets in the capital, drawing a parallel to Lagos’ situation.
Beyond the legal questions, Falana also slammed the lack of community engagement, calling the decision authoritarian.
“Charley Boy Bus Stop acquired its name sociologically due to its functionality and the positive impact which Charly Boy has historically made in the area,” he said.
“Renaming it without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism.”
He urged the Lagos State Government and its agencies to halt the unilateral renaming of streets and public places, stressing the need for due process and public input.
