Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has made a U-turn by stating that there is no contention that Lagos belongs to the Yoruba people of Southwest Nigeria.

Bwala sparked controversy on Wednesday after stating on national TV that Lagos is no man's land.

Bwala made the statement on Arise TV while defending the reason why Lagos State has enjoyed favourable projects from the Federal Government.

According to him, Lagos cannot be regarded as belonging to the Southwest region in a certain sense, hence its projects can't be included in what the Southwest has benefited from the FG.

He said, "N2.9 trillion has been spent on infrastructure in Lagos State, which distinguishes it from other states, primarily because Lagos is a 'no man's land.' The president, who hails from the Southwest, did not win Lagos, highlighting the cosmopolitan nature of the state. Were it not for the fact that the majority of the people in Lagos speak Yoruba, one might wonder if Lagos is truly in the Southwest. Like New York, Paris, and London, Lagos serves as the commercial nerve centre of the economy and requires extensive infrastructure to enhance its economic growth."

Addressing the controversy that trailed his interview, Bwala took to X to assert the Yoruba cultural, historical and constitutional ownership of Lagos.

The presidential spokesperson said, "Don’t misinterpret what I said in my interview 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 emphasised 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 centre 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."

ASA