By: Pentho Goldmark Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has clarified his controversial remark ...
By: Pentho Goldmark
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has clarified his controversial remark about Lagos being a “no-man’s land,” insisting that the state remains the cultural and historical homeland of the Yoruba people.
Bwala, who spoke on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme on Wednesday, said his earlier statement had been misunderstood. According to him, Lagos should not be viewed as a state receiving undue favouritism from the Federal Government, but rather as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.
His initial comment sparked outrage across social and political circles, prompting him to issue a clarification on his official Twitter handle.
“Culturally, historically, and constitutionally, Lagos belongs to the Yoruba people, and that has never been in contention. The unique identity of Lagos as a Yoruba homeland is settled and beyond dispute,” he explained.
Bwala stressed that his point was not to deny Lagos’ Yoruba roots but to highlight its cosmopolitan nature. He likened Lagos to global cities like New York, Paris, and London — diverse, open to everyone, yet still deeply rooted in its original heritage.
“Lagos provides every Nigerian with opportunities to thrive regardless of origin. That is what makes it special,” he said. “But at the same time, it is firmly Yoruba land.”
The presidential aide further argued that Lagos’ unique role in Nigeria’s development makes it imperative for every administration to prioritize the state in terms of infrastructure and investment.
“My argument was, therefore, and justifiably so, for massive investments in infrastructure to sustain the economic and social responsibilities Lagos has shouldered on behalf of Nigeria. Any President who truly seeks to succeed must critically support Lagos — not because it is a ‘no-man’s land,’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development,” he stated.
Bwala’s clarification comes after he initially said during a TV interview that Lagos was a “no-man’s land,” pointing to the results of the last election where President Tinubu, despite being from the South-West, did not secure an outright victory in the state.
Photo credit: Vanguard News
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