Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has criticized Oyo and Lagos States governments over their spending of state funds describing some of their recent appropriation for public expenditure as “reckless and unnecessary”.
Falana faulted Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, over the proposed N63 billion rehabilitation of the Government House.
He further berated the Lagos state government for spending N45 billion on utility vehicles within four years, while planning to spend another N20 billion on jeeps for the state House of Assembly.
Falana made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking as a panelist at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin O’odua held in Abeokuta.
The conference, themed “Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development”, brought together legal luminaries and stakeholders from across the South-West.
Also on the panel were other Senior Advocates of Nigeria including Dr. Wahab Shittu, Mrs. Titilayo Akinlawon, Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro, and Mr. Kayode Akinremi, Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Abeokuta Branch.
While addressing issues of regional development, Falana decried the level of infrastructural decay and governance failure across South-West states, lamenting that public officials have consistently failed to prioritize selfless service and the welfare of the people.
“We are quick to shout about the misappropriation of public funds in Abuja, but what about our region?
“In Lagos, they spent N45 billion on utility vehicles within four years, and now the House of Assembly is planning to spend another N20 billion on jeeps. Yet, the people are sinking deeper into poverty,” he said.
Citing the recent flooding in Ikorodu, Falana criticized the lack of government response, noting that, “If it were abroad, helicopters would have been deployed to supply food and aid to victims. But here, nothing is being done.”
Turning his focus to Oyo State, the senior advocate took a swipe at Governor Makinde’s plan to renovate the Government House for N63 billion, a move he described as a misplacement of priority.
“Makinde already works from home. Spending N63 billion on renovating the Government House is outrageous when the same amount can provide roads and electricity across the state.
Meanwhile, education is in crisis, and none of the South-West states are up to date in accessing the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds,” he added.
Falana warned that the region risks continuous retrogression unless leaders at all levels embrace accountability, transparency, and genuine service to the people.
He bemoaned the present state of politics in Nigeria, contrasting it with the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Unlike the past when intellectuals like Awolowo led with vision, today’s politics is in the hands of criminals and touts who care little about economic growth and citizens’ welfare,” Falana stated.
He emphasized that from Lagos to Ekiti, the rising influence of touts and deepening poverty underpinned the need for governments to rethink their priorities and make judicious use of public resources.
Credit: WesternMirror.
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