The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, has asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to influence the return of all property belonging to the state, which was forcefully taken over by the Federal Government.
In a statement, the monarch urged Gbajabiamila to use his position in the national leadership hierarchy to help Lagos retrieve the said property.
The Oba Akiolu made the plea when Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led the Speaker and his deputy, Idris Wase, on a courtesy visit to the monarch at the weekend. He said he had “valid documents” to lay claim to the property, which he said, were taken during the military era and that some of them were dated back to the 19th century.
“We have a catalog of requests from the Federal Government, from special status for the state to the return of all property belonging to Lagos government which were taken away by military fiat. We want the property to be returned to us,” he said.
Earlier, Sanwo-Olu while receiving the Speaker at the Lagos House, Ikeja, described the emergence of Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives as a great feat for the state.
Sanwo-Olu also expressed joy that a Lagosian had been entrusted with the Speakership of the Lower Chamber of the nation’s National Assembly, which he sees as a major milestone in the annals of the State’s and the nation’s political history.
“We’re happy that as a Lagosian, you are the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria. This means a lot to us in the State. But beyond being a Lagosian, we’re happy that Nigeria is blessed with a great personality as her Speaker. We know that you will work for the good of the country,” he said.
The Governor informed the Speaker that Lagos deserves more from the Federal Government and said he hoped that Hon Gbajabiamila would use his office to better the lot of the State.
Gbajabiamila, who described his home-coming as very emotional, noted that Lagos is his home but Nigeria is his seat. He promised to be fair to every Nigerian in his administration of the House of Representatives.
The Speaker noted that Lagos is his home but Nigeria is his seat. He promised to be fair to every Nigerian in his administration of the House of Representatives.
The Speaker promised better collaboration between the Federal and Lagos State Government, saying so much is expected of Governor Sanwo-Olu to deliver the dividend of democracy.
“So much is expected of you as much as it is expected of me too. But I know you and I know your pedigree. Chances are that you will surpass those expectations.”
The Speaker and his deputy were joined during the visits by many members of the green chamber from various regions of the country.
