Think Yoruba First slams Sowore over Lagos renaming comments

July 29, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

A socio-cultural and political organisation, Think Yoruba First (TYF), has condemned Omoyele Sowore’s recent comments on the renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop to Olamide Badoo in Lagos, describing his assertions as “misleading and historically inaccurate.”

Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and founder of Sahara Reporters, had claimed that “Lagos belongs to no tribe.”

In a press statement signed on July 29, 2025, Think Yoruba First commended the Lagos State Government for honoring Olamide, a son of the soil whose cultural and artistic impact has significantly contributed to the development and global recognition of Yorubaland, its people, and Nigeria at large.

Addressing Sowore’s comments, Think Yoruba First said, “Such a statement reflects a gross misunderstanding of Nigerian history.” The organization emphasized that Lagos is the ancestral land of the Awori people, a subgroup of the Yoruba ethnic nationality, citing verifiable historical records to support its claim.

“Lagos, historically and culturally, is the ancestral land of the Awori people, a subgroup of the Yoruba ethnic nationality. This is an indisputable fact, supported by verifiable historical records,” The organisation stated.

The group highlighted the significant contributions of Yoruba leaders, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to the development of Lagos and the Western Region.

“Visionary Yoruba leaders such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo played a pivotal role in the infrastructural and social development of Lagos and the entire Western Region through aggressive policies in education and industrialization,” the statement read.

TYF accused Sowore of making “politically motivated” remarks aimed at gaining sympathy among non-indigenous populations in Lagos.

“Mr. Sowore’s remarks appear politically motivated and aimed at gaining sympathy among non-indigenous populations in Lagos, particularly the Ibo community,” the group stated.

The organization also questioned Sowore’s credibility, citing his history of “desperation and disregard for stability.”

“His repeated political rejections and disruptive calls for protests and civil unrest reveal a pattern of desperation and disregard for stability,” TYF said.

Think Yoruba First reiterated its commitment to advocating for Yoruba interests and unity within Nigeria, urging Nigerians to “embrace historical truth, mutual respect, and responsible civic engagement.”

The group concluded by urging the public to disregard Sowore’s “baseless assertions,” describing them as “the rants of a man seeking relevance through ethnic provocation.”