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Falana Slams South-West Governors, Criticises Makinde’s N63bn Renovation

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The popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, on Wednesday, decried failed governance and sheer infrastructural decay in the South-West saying that the governors has not done enough to tackle the challenge of poverty fail to prioritise selfless service.

Falana regretted that unlike in the days of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo when the politics was in the hand of the intellectuals, “politics is now in the hands of criminals and touts who bother less about investing in the economic prosperity of the country and the well-being of the citizens.”

The legal luminary also faulted Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde’s decision to spend N63bn on the rehabilitation of the government house, describing it as unnecessary and reckless spending of public funds that should have been put into better use to uplift infrastructural development in the state.

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Falana disclosed this on Wednesday, while making his submission as member of panels during the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin Odua held in Abeokuta with the theme “Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development”.

Other members of the panel were Dr Wahab Shittu, SAN, Mrs Titilayo Akinlawon, SAN, Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN and Mr Kayode Akinremi, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Abeokuta branch.

The human rights lawyer noted that the South-West region may continue in its journey of retrogression except the the political leaders both at the state and the local government stay honest to the people and make good governance and service to the people their focus.

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Falana explained that, “We are always quick to shout about the misappropriation and reckless spending of public funds in Abuja but in Lagos after spending N45bn to procure Jeeps (utility vehicles) in the first four years, the state House of Assembly is planning to spend another N20bn on purchase 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 the helicopter to go and drop food for the victims but what is being done for the people? Nothing.

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“Similarly, the governor of Oyo State who comes to work from his house now want to rehabilitate the government house with N63bn, the amount that is enough to provide good roads and electricity for the state.

“The education is in bad shape, there is no South-West states today that is up to date in accessing the UBEC fund. There are 18.3m out of school children including children from the South-West.

“Today, the roads in the Southwest 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.”

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The lawyer also lamented that touts have now taken over South-West states due to growing poverty saying that the sad narrative is the Same from Lagos to Ogun, Oyo to Osun and Ondo to Ekiti, warning that there is need for the government to begin to make judicious use of the resources at their disposal to make life more comfortable and rewarding for the populace.

READ ALSO:Falana, Others Slam Okpebholo As Edo Movement Ban On Obi Sparks Reactions, Controversy

He explained that, “Area boys, touts have taken over the South-West states. The area boys in Ekiti seem to be wild than the ones in Lagos, they are there from Lagos to Abeokuta and everywhere, even in the rural areas.

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“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 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 28, one year Oyo and Oshun came 28 and 27, what is happening to us in the Southwest.

“Our children now run to miracles center, the children are not going to schools again, only children of the privileged few are going to school because of poverty yet the common wealth of our region is being privatized right before our very eyes”

Falana urged lawyers to stand up to making our political leaders accountable to the people even if they will have to drag them before the court of law

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He disclosed that “For the 2025 budget, Senators and members of House of Representatives inserted 11000 constituency projects valued at N6.9trn, as lawyers you must do more than sitting and watching, ask these lawmakers where the projects are cited and if they are not giving any satisfactory answers, take them to court”.

Giving his keynote address, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, urged the lawyers to continue to uphold rule of law and advance the course of justice, fairness and equity in the region.

Olujinmi said that the association must constantly in all its engagements and activities draw attention of the governments to the obligation on them to observe the rule of law and the constitution because obeisance to the rule of law is key to regional justice, security and sustainable development.

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READ ALSO:Falana Slams Government Over Failure To Prosecute Suspected Killers In Benue

As way out of the trouble of insecurity in the region, the former Minister hailed the late governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who against all odds and opposition established the Amotekun Corps that has helped to curb the growing insecurity in the Southwest

Olujinmi has therefore identified the need for an effective collaboration among the six Southwestern

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States to increase the empowerment and capacity of the Amotekun Corps across the region to further deal decisive blow to those hurting the region’s security architecture

The former Minister added that, “The governments of the region should regularly engage closely with the people to appreciate their specific needs and provide for them instead of embarking on programmes of development that are not of any immediate relevance to the needs of the communities.

“The region is blessed with fertile land and active

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human capital which can be harnessed for the development of the region. The governments of the six States need to tackle youth

unemployment with a robust commitment. All these are necessary for sustainable development in the region.”

READ ALSO:Reclaim Nigeria From Older Generation, Falana Tells Youths

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The President of the association, Mr Isiaka Olagunju SAN, urged the members of the association to help in protecting the heritage which purely belongs to the Yoruba people.

Olagunju said that it is unfortunate and regrettable that some section of the country will be describing Lagos as no man’s land saying that there is need for the members of the association who are only Yoruba to always stand up and be counted to defend wrong narratives and twisting of the cherished Yoruba rich history.

Also speaking at the programme, the leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, Chief Gani Adams explained that only restructuring and practice of true federalism can help to resolve lots of issues especially around insecurity and economic prosperity of not only the Southwest region but the entire country.

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The Chairman, Planning Committee of the annual conference, Mr Olusegun Fabunmi, SAN, said that the association will critically examine all that have been discussed at the conference and then set up committee to ensure that the recommendations especially those that bother on insecurity and economic integration are pushed to the government for implementation.

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Traditional Ruler, Police Partner FG Security Agency To Mop Up Arms, End Bnditry

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The Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha has partnered with the
National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Northeast Zonal Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu to curtail the menace of the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the country.

Speaking when the Northeast Zonal Director of NCCSALW, Maj:-Gen. Abubakar Adamu (Rtd) paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday, the Emir said that the roles of the traditional rulers in fighting the proliferation of small Arms and light weapons in the country could not be overemphasized.

He promised that he would do everything within his power to support the centre in sensitizing the people on the dangers associated with the proliferation of illicit arms and weapons as well as putting an end to it.

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He seeks for the support and cooperation of all traditional leaders in the state to join the centre in tackling the menace of the proliferation of these arms and weapons in their various communities.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools

Earlier speaking, Maj:-Gen. Abubakar Adamu (Rtd), said the collaboration with the traditional institutions and all stakeholders would go a long way in curtailing the menace of the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the country.

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The Zonal Director explained that the Centre was working in collaboration with all stakeholders in the country to mop up all SALW for onward destruction.

According to him, the Centre has been mandated by the federal government to prosecute any individual involved in the proliferation of illicit weapons in the country and is therefore seeking for more support and collaboration from all stakeholders in the country.

Similarly, the centre paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Dankombo Morris for more collaboration and synergy where Adamu explained that the visit was part of a sensitization tour to introduce the mandate of the Centre, which is focused on curbing the proliferation of SALW across the North East.

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READ ALSO:NILDS Organises Quiz Competition For Secondary School Students In Bauchi

He sought the continued support and cooperation of the Command to achieve the giant stride of mopping up all illegal weapons from circulation through collection and destruction.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police pledged to collaborate with the centre in the fight against the proliferation of illicit arms and light weapons.

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He further reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to work closely with the Centre to rid the State of illegal firearms and ensure public safety.

The centre also met with the Director, State Security Service, Barthalomew Omoaka, who promised to support the centre especially in intelligence sharing which he said was paramount in preventing the proliferation of these weapons.

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OPINION: Nigerian Leaders And The Tragedy Of Sudden Riches

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By Israel Adebiyi

It is my sincere hope that by now, the wives of the 21 local government chairmen of Adamawa State are safely back from their exotic voyage to Istanbul, Turkey, a trip reportedly bankrolled by the local government finances under the umbrella of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). A journey, we are told, designed to “empower” them with leadership skills. It’s the kind of irony that defines our political culture, an expensive parade of privilege masquerading as governance.

But that is what happens when providence smiles on an ill-prepared man: he loses every sense of decorum, perspective, and sanity.

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I am reminded of a neighbour from nearly two decades ago, a simple man who earned his living as a welder in a bustling corner of Alagbado, in Lagos. One day, fortune smiled on him. The details of how it happened are less important than the aftermath. Overnight, this humble tradesman was thrust into wealth he never imagined. His first response was to remodel his one-room face-me-I-face-you apartment. He then bought crates of beverages for his wife to start a small trade. Nights became movie marathons, days were spent entertaining friends and living large. Within a short while, both the beverages and the money were gone. The family consumed what was meant to be sold, and before long, they were back to where they began, broke and disillusioned.

That, in many ways, mirrors the tragedy of Nigerian leadership. It’s the poverty mindset in leadership.

The story of my neighbour is a microcosm of the Nigerian political elite, particularly at the subnational level. When sudden riches come, wisdom departs. When opportunity presents itself, greed takes over. In the past years, since the removal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent fiscal windfall that followed, all levels of governments, particularly both state and local governments have found themselves with more resources than they have had in over a decade. Yet, rather than invest in ideas that would stimulate production, jobs, and infrastructure, what we have witnessed is an epidemic of frivolities, unnecessary travels, wasteful seminars, inflated projects, and reckless spending.

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Across the country, the story is similar: councils and states spending like drunken sailors. Suddenly, workshops in Dubai, leadership retreats in Turkey, and empowerment programs that empower nobody have become the order of the day. The sad reality is that many of these leaders lack the intellectual depth, managerial capacity, and moral restraint to translate resources into development. Their worldview is transactional, not transformational.

Nigeria’s tragedy is not the absence of resources; it is the misplacement of priorities. Across the states, billions are allocated to vanity projects that contribute little or nothing to the people’s quality of life. Roads are constructed without drainages and collapse at the first rainfall. Hospitals are built without doctors, and schools are renovated without teachers. Governors commission streetlights in communities without power supply. Council chairmen purchase SUVs in towns where people still fetch water from muddy streams. This is not governance; it is pageantry.

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The problem is rooted in a poverty mindset, a mentality that sees power not as a platform for service but as an opportunity for consumption. Like the welder who squandered his windfall, our leaders are more preoccupied with display than development. They seek validation through possessions and patronage. They confuse spending with productivity. After all, these guarantee their re-election and political relevance.

Take for instance, the proliferation of “empowerment” schemes across states and local governments. Millions are spent distributing grinding machines, hair dryers, and tricycles, symbolic gestures that make headlines but solve nothing. In a state where industrial capacity is non-existent and education is underfunded, these programs are nothing but political theatre.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:Nigeria @65: A Long Walk To Freedom

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Part of the reason for this recurring tragedy is the near absence of accountability. At every level of government, public scrutiny has been deliberately weakened. The legislature, which should act as a check on executive excesses, has become a willing accomplice. Most state assemblies now function as mere extensions of the governor’s office. Their loyalty is not to the constitution or the people, but to the whims of the man who controls their allowances. When oversight is dead, impunity thrives.

The same is true at the local government level. The councils, which should be the closest tier of governance to the people, have become mere revenue distribution centres. Their budgets are inflated with cosmetic projects, while core community needs – clean water, rural roads, primary healthcare, and education – remain neglected. In most states, local governments have been stripped of autonomy, no thanks to the governors, and turned into cash dispensers for political godfathers.

A functioning democracy depends on the ability of citizens and institutions to demand explanations from those in power. Unfortunately, Nigeria has normalised a culture of unaccountability. We applaud mediocrity, celebrate looters, and reward failure with re-election.

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Leadership without vision is like a vehicle without direction, fast-moving but going nowhere. Our leaders often mistake motion for progress. A road contract here, a stadium renovation there, a new office complex somewhere, yet the fundamental problems remain untouched.

When a government cannot define its priorities, it becomes reactive, not proactive. It responds to crises rather than preventing them. The consequence is that we keep recycling poverty in the midst of plenty.

Consider the fate of many oil-producing states that have earned hundreds of billions from the 13 percent derivation fund. Despite their enormous earnings, the communities remain among the poorest in the federation. The roads are not just bad but are deathtraps, the schools dilapidated, and the hospitals understaffed. The money vanished into white-elephant projects and political patronage networks.

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MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:[OPINION] Rivers: The Futility Of Power And The Illusion Of Victory

Visionary leadership is not about having a title or holding an office; it is about seeing beyond the immediate and investing in the future. It is about building systems that outlive individuals. Sadly, most of our leaders are incapable of such long-term thinking because they are trapped in the psychology of survival, not sustainability.

There is a proverb that says: “The foolish man who finds gold in the morning will be poor again by evening.” That proverb could have been written for Nigeria. Each time fortune presents us with an opportunity, whether through oil booms, debt relief, or global trade openings, we squander it in consumption and corruption.

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The subsidy removal windfall was meant to be a moment of reckoning, a chance to redirect resources to development, improve infrastructure, and alleviate poverty. Instead, it has become another tragic chapter in our national story, a story of squandered wealth and wasted potential.

When money becomes available without the corresponding capacity to manage it, it breeds recklessness. Suddenly, every council wants a new secretariat. Every governor wants to build a new airport or flyovers that lead to nowhere. The tragedy is not in the availability of money but in the absence of vision to channel it productively.

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Nigeria does not lack bright minds; it lacks systems that compel responsibility. What we need is a new civic consciousness that demands accountability from those in power. Citizens must begin to interrogate budgets, question policies, and reject tokenism. Civil society must reclaim its watchdog role. The media must rise above “he said, he said” journalism and focus on investigative and developmental reporting that exposes waste and corruption.

Equally, the legislature must rediscover its purpose. Lawmakers are not meant to be praise singers or contract brokers. They are the custodians of democracy, empowered to question, probe, and restrain executive recklessness. Until they reclaim that role, governance will remain an exercise in futility.

The solution also lies in leadership development. Leadership should no longer be an accident of chance or patronage; it must be a deliberate cultivation of character, competence, and capacity. The tragedy of sudden riches is avoidable if leaders are adequately prepared to handle responsibility.

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Ultimately, the change we seek is not just in policy but in mindset. Nigeria must confront the culture of consumption and replace it with a culture of productivity. We must move from short-term gratification to long-term investment, from vanity projects to value creation, from self-aggrandizement to service.

Every generation has its defining moment. Ours is the opportunity to rethink governance and rebuild trust. The tragedy of sudden riches can become the triumph of sustainable wealth, but only if we learn to manage fortune with foresight.

Until that happens, the Adamawa wives will keep travelling, the chairmen will keep spending, and the people will keep waiting for dividends that never come.

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JUST IN: Court Orders IGP To Arrest Mahmood Yakubu, Ex-INEC Chairman

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Despite his exit as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has again ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest the former INEC chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, for an offence relating to contempt of court.

The Court order came a few hours after Yakubu left office as the INEC chairman.

The Action Alliance, AA, had instituted a case before the court challenging INEC and its former chairman, Prof Yakubu, over their non-compliance with the judgment of the Court delivered by Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi in suit number FHC/OS/CS/194/2024.

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In the said judgment, the court ordered INEC to put the names of the National Chairman of the Action Alliance, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, and other members of the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, on the INEC portal.

The Court also held that the names of all the state chairmen of the party be uploaded on the INEC portal.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinted Permit Enforcement Placed On Hold Due To Court Order – Police

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The court held that the elective convention of the party held on the 7th of October, 2023 which produced Omoaje as the national chairman of the party and other NEC members of the party was authentic as it was properly monitored and supervised by officials of INEC in accordance with the party’s constitution and the electoral acts.

However, INEC claimed to have complied with the court judgment, but the party disagreed with the commission, as the name of Omoaje was yet to be uploaded on the commission’s website despite the orders of the Court.

Although the names of the state chairmen of the party under the leadership of Omoaje and those of the NEC members are already on the INEC portal, Omoaje’s name is yet to be uploaded as of press time, a development that the court frowned at.

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The court order obtained by our correspondent dated 7th October, 2025, and signed by Mr O.M. Kilani on behalf of the Court Registrar reads in part, “it is hereby ordered that the Inspector General of Police shall cause the arrest and shall charge the defendant/judgment debtors for contempt and committal proceedings within seven days of this ruling.”

The court also awarded a cost of #100,000 against the judgment creditors.

 

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