On Wednesday, the Chairman of the Mushin local government posted a video on his X account. In the video, Mr. Emmanuel Bamigboye declared that the Aguiyi Ironsi international spare parts market in Ladipo will now be known as Paramo market.
He said the market’s name was originally Paramo but was “all of a sudden” changed to Aguiyi Ironsi. He added that the name change was to honour the original developer of the market, Paramo Hassan Olajoku, who “died in the process of the activities of the party.”
Taken as an isolated incident, the Mushin name change might have passed as innocuous. Market names fall under the jurisdiction of local governments and there is hardly nothing suspect in honouring a local leader who is believed to have contributed to the welfare of the community. But this is not an isolated case.
Since the All Progressives Congress lost Lagos in the 2023 presidential election to Peter Obi and risked losing the state in the subsequent governorship election, the APC has intensified its efforts to spread the notion that Yorubas are under threat in Lagos, especially from Igbos. On the campaign trail, APC defenders such as Jubril Gawat appeared in marches where placards with the “My Lagos not your Lagos” slogans were raised.
In June 2023, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, said he will champion a legislative agenda that protects Lagos indigenes. “Lagos is a Yoruba land as against the assertions of some people that it is a no man’s land,” Mr Obasa said. He added that lawmakers will pass “laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles, and we will reverse all that are reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes.”
It is not clear what the reversal touted by Mr. Obasa means but renaming markets appear to be a step in that direction. Earlier this month, Ikeja Record reported how the Ajereomi Ifelodun renamed multiple streets, in some cases swapping Igbo names for Yoruba names. The council claimed it was a decision made based on revenue considerations.
There is little doubt that pandering to tribalistic slogans is a powerful way to rally communities and win elections. But it can also tear communities apart. In August, an X account believed to be pro-APC Lagos started an #IgboMustGo hashtag, calling for a protest to remove Igbos from the state. The hashtag was swiftly condemned. “The governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the state, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice,” a statement from the Governor’s office said.
But there is no smoke without fire. The APC in Lagos, through its rhetoric, continues to embolden tribal bigots largely as a way to maintain power. It’s not a good strategy.