Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has come down hard on governors in Nigeria’s Southwest region, accusing them of failed governance, infrastructural decay, and reckless mismanagement of public resources.
Falana made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking as a panellist at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin O’dua, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The conference, themed “Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development,” brought together leading legal minds and key stakeholders in the region.
In his address, Falana condemned what he called a “glaring betrayal” of the ideals of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who is widely revered for his progressive leadership and people-centered governance in the old Western Region.
“Today’s leaders in the Southwest have completely deviated from the visionary path laid by Chief Awolowo,” Falana declared. “Instead of addressing basic needs like healthcare, education, and infrastructure, we are seeing reckless extravagance, misplaced priorities, and an obsession with personal enrichment.”
Falana singled out Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for particularly harsh criticism, slamming the recent allocation of N63 billion for the rehabilitation of the Government House. He described the expenditure as “outrageous and unjustifiable” in a state still grappling with dilapidated schools, poor roads, and under-resourced hospitals.
“The allocation of N63 billion for the governor’s residence while children are sitting on bare floors to learn is a travesty. That is not governance. That is elite self-indulgence,” he said.
Other dignitaries at the event included legal luminaries such as Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), Mrs Titilayo Akinlawon (SAN), Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), and Mr Kayode Akinremi, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abeokuta branch. Discussions centered around legal reforms, regional security, and strategies for sustainable development across Yoruba-speaking states.
Falana urged citizens in the region to hold their leaders accountable and demand transparency in the use of public funds. “The people must rise and say, ‘enough is enough.’ If our leaders won’t act in the public interest, we must compel them to,” he said.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for legal professionals to take a more active role in promoting good governance and ensuring justice and accountability at all levels of government.
