Falana shouts, “touts and criminals” have taken over politics, urges legal practitioners to hold them to account
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Politics in Nigeria is now in the hands of touts and criminals who care nothing about investing in social and economic development and the well-being of citizens, human rights activist Femi Falana SAN, has moaned.
He cited “bad governance and sheer infrastructural decay in the South West,” where he said Governors have not done enough to tackle poverty.
Falana bared his mind in his submission as a panellist at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin Oodua held in Abeokuta with the theme ‘Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development’.
“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.
He faulted Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to spend N63 billion on the rehabilitation of Government House, Ibadan, describing it as reckless spending of public funds that should have been put into better use to upgrade infrastructure.
Other members of the panel were Wahab Shittu SAN, Titilayo Akinlawon SAN, Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN, and Kayode Akinremi, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Abeokuta branch Chairman.
Falana warned that the South West may continue on its journey of retrogression unless political leaders at the state and council levels are honest to the people and focus on good governance and service.
He added: “We are always quick to shout about the misappropriation and reckless spending of public funds in Abuja, but in Lagos after spending N45 billion to procure Jeeps (utility vehicles) in the first four years, the state House of Assembly is planning to spend another N20 billion on purchase of another set of jeeps, yet the people are wallowing in poverty.
“Ikorodu has been submerged in the last three days, if it were to be abroad, they will be using helicopter to drop food for the victims, but what is being done for the people? Nothing.”
“Similarly, the Governor of Oyo State, who comes to work from his house, now wants to rehabilitate Government House with N63 billion, the amount that is enough to provide good roads and electricity for the state.
“Our education is in bad shape, there is no South West state today that is up to date in accessing the UBEC fund. There are 18.3 million out of school children, including children from the South West.
“Today, the roads in the South West are terrible. Infrastructurally, we are not there. Unfortunately, when they now want to flag off road that they will not even complete, you will see them making so much noise, doing ceremony; there is need for a rethink.
“Area boys, touts, have taken over the South West states. The area boys in Ekiti seem to be more wild than those in Lagos. They are present from Lagos to Abeokuta and everywhere, including rural areas.
“Our children are no longer going to school.
“You can’t buy a piece of land now and enjoy peaceful possession. As you are laying the foundation, you will see them. When you want to roof the building, you will see them again.
“Go and look at the results of WAEC now. Two years ago, Ekiti came 28th. One year, Oyo and Osun came 28th and 27th positions respectfully. What is happening to us in the South West?
“Our children now run to miracle centres, the children are not going to schools again, only the children of the privileged few are going to school because of poverty, yet the commonwealth of our region is being privatised right before our eyes.”
Falana charged lawyers to stand up and make political leaders accountable to the people, even if they have to drag them before the court of law.
“For the 2025 budget, Senators and members of House of Representatives inserted 11,000 constituency projects valued at N6.9 trillion. As lawyers you must do more than sitting and watching, ask these lawmakers where the projects are cited and if they are not giving satisfactory answers, take them to court.”
Former federal Attorney General and Justice Minister of Justice, Akin Olujinmi, SAN, urged the lawyers to continue to uphold the rule of law and advance the course of justice, fairness, and equity.
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