Political Corruption and Mismanagement in the Southwest
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, expressed deep concern over the current state of politics in Nigeria, stating that it is now dominated by criminals and touts who show little interest in investing in the country’s economic growth or the well-being of its citizens. He criticized what he described as poor governance and significant infrastructural decline in the Southwest region, emphasizing that governors have not done enough to address poverty.
Falana made these remarks while presenting his views as a member of the panel at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin Oodua held in Abeokuta. The conference had the theme 'Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development.' He pointed out that during the time of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, politics was led by intellectuals, but today, it is controlled by individuals who are more interested in personal gain than in serving the public.
One of the key issues Falana highlighted was Governor Seyi Makinde's decision to allocate N63bn for the rehabilitation of the Government House. He called this a reckless use of public funds that could have been better utilized to improve infrastructure in the state. Other panel members included Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, Mrs. Titilayo Akinlawon, SAN, Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, and Mr. Kayode Akinremi, Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Abeokuta branch.
Falana warned that the South-West region may continue to regress unless political leaders at both the state and local government levels prioritize honest governance and service to the people. He pointed out that while there is much criticism about misappropriation of funds in Abuja, similar issues exist in Lagos, where N45bn was spent on utility vehicles in the first four years, and an additional N20bn is planned for another set of vehicles, despite widespread poverty.
He also mentioned the recent flooding in Ikorodu, noting that if such a situation occurred abroad, helicopters would be used to deliver aid. However, in Nigeria, no meaningful action is taken for the affected people. Falana criticized the governor of Oyo State for planning to spend N63bn on rehabilitating the Government House, which he argued could have been used to provide better roads and electricity across the state.
Education and Infrastructure Challenges
Falana highlighted the deteriorating state of education in the Southwest, noting that none of the states in the region is up to date in accessing the UBEC fund. He mentioned that there are 18.3 million children out of school, including those from the Southwest. He also pointed out that the roads in the region are in poor condition, and many infrastructure projects are either incomplete or poorly executed.
He emphasized the need for a reevaluation of priorities, stating that when projects are finally launched, there is excessive celebration without proper follow-through. Falana also lamented the increasing presence of area boys and touts in the Southwest, particularly in Ekiti, where they are more unruly than in Lagos. He noted that these individuals are present in urban and rural areas, disrupting daily life and causing insecurity.
The lawyer also raised concerns about the declining quality of education, citing the poor performance of students in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results. Two years ago, Ekiti ranked 28th, followed by Oyo and Osun at 28th and 27th positions respectively. He questioned what is happening to the educational system in the Southwest.
The Role of Lawyers in Holding Leaders Accountable
Falana urged lawyers to take a stronger stance in holding political leaders accountable to the people. He suggested that if lawmakers do not provide satisfactory answers regarding constituency projects, legal action should be pursued. He pointed out that for the 2025 budget, Senators and members of the House of Representatives included 11,000 constituency projects valued at N6.9 trillion. Falana emphasized that lawyers must go beyond passive observation and actively seek accountability.
In his keynote address, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, encouraged lawyers to uphold the rule of law and promote justice, fairness, and equity in the region. His message underscored the importance of maintaining ethical standards and ensuring that the legal profession serves as a pillar of societal progress.