Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has retracted his controversial remark describing Lagos as a “no-man’s land” following widespread backlash after his Wednesday appearance on Arise Television.
Addressing the uproar on his official X account, Bwala clarified that Lagos is unequivocally the historical and constitutional homeland of the Yoruba people.
The legal practitioner emphasized that his statement was misinterpreted, asserting that the city’s Yoruba identity is undisputed and should not be misrepresented.Bwala further noted that Lagos’ role as Nigeria’s leading commercial hub does not diminish its cultural heritage.
He stressed that the state’s identity “has never been in contention,” urging against distortions while reaffirming its significance as a vital economic center.
He wrote:
“Don’t misinterpret what I said in my interview of this morning.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.What I emphasized was the special place Lagos occupies in Nigeria and indeed West Africa — a city that, much like New York, Paris, or London, serves as the commercial nerve center of our economy.
“Lagos provides every Nigerian, regardless of origin, a level playing field to thrive, and in this sense, it mirrors the diversity of our nation while remaining firmly rooted in Yoruba heritage.
“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 “no-man’s land,” but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development.
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