Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has condemned the growing dominance of “criminals and touts” in Nigerian politics, accusing political leaders of abandoning economic development and the welfare of citizens.
Speaking in Abeokuta as a panelist at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin Oodua, themed Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development, Falana lamented the state of governance in the Southwest, blaming governors for placing personal interests above service to the people.
“During the days of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, politics was in the hands of the intellectuals, but today, politics is in the hands of criminals and touts who are less concerned about investing in the economic prosperity of the country and the well-being of the citizens,” he said.
Falana criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to spend ₦63 billion rehabilitating the Government House, calling it reckless when residents suffer poor infrastructure. He also faulted the Lagos State House of Assembly for proposing to spend ₦20 billion on utility vehicles after already spending ₦45 billion on Jeeps in the past four years.
Warning that the region faces continued retrogression unless leaders embrace honesty and prioritise good governance, he cited the recent flooding in Ikorodu as an example of neglect. “Ikorodu has been submerged for three days. If it were abroad, they would be using helicopters to drop food for victims. But here, nothing is being done,” he said.
The lawyer decried the spread of poverty-induced thuggery across the Southwest, noting that “area boys” now operate from Lagos to rural communities. He also lamented the decline in education, citing poor WAEC rankings for Ekiti, Oyo, and Osun states, as well as the rising number of out-of-school children.
Urging lawyers to hold politicians accountable, even through legal action, Falana pointed to the 2025 federal budget, which contains 11,000 constituency projects worth ₦6.9 trillion. “Ask lawmakers where these projects are cited. If they can’t answer, take them to court,” he charged.
Other panelists included Dr Wahab Shittu, SAN, Mrs Titilayo Akinlawon, SAN, Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, and Mr Kayode Akinremi, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abeokuta branch. In his keynote address, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, urged lawyers to uphold the rule of law and advance justice, fairness, and equity in the region.
