Lagos Belongs to Yoruba, Bwala Makes U-Turn on ‘No-Man’s Land’ Comment

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication Daniel Bwala has retracted his controversial assertion that Lagos is a “no-man’s land,” a statement that sparked widespread outrage after his appearance on Arise Television last Wednesday.

Bwala initially described Lagos as a cosmopolitan state where the president, despite hailing from the Southwest did not win the last election calling the city a “no-man’s land” to underline its diverse demographic and economic significance.

However, the comment was widely criticized for seemingly undermining the Yoruba identity of Lagos.

In a fresh statement, Bwala clarified and affirmed that Lagos remains a Yoruba land and emphasized the cultural and historical roots of the Yorubas in the state.

He acknowledged the city’s cosmopolitan nature but stressed that its Yoruba heritage remains intact. Bwala’s U-turn is seen as an attempt to mend relations and calm the backlash from the Yoruba community.

The incident comes amid ongoing debates about regional representation and cultural identity in Nigeria’s most populous and economically vital state.

Bwala’s retraction has been welcomed by many who view Lagos as central to Yoruba culture and influence, despite its vibrant multicultural presence.