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

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.
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.
READ ALSO:Charly Boy: Falana Reacts To Street Renaming After Olamide Baddo, Others
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.
“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.”
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.
“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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
News
JUST IN: Tinubu Decorates New Service Chiefs

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday decorated the new service chiefs with their respective ranks at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The ceremony, which began shortly after 2pm saw the President perform the decoration alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the decorated officers, each dressed in their respective service uniforms.
Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff; Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff; and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas and Chief of Naval Staff.
The Senate had, on Wednesday, confirmed the four nominees after a two-hour closed-door screening session where they were grilled on strategies to strengthen national security and improve coordination among the armed forces.
Tinubu had earlier written the red chamber, seeking an expedited confirmation process “to ensure continuity in the nation’s security leadership.”
READ ALSO:Reps Approve Tinubu’s $2.35bn External Loan Request
It was observed that the ceremony was attended by senior government officials, lawmakers family members of the service chiefs and top officers from the various arms of the military.
The President, Vice President and the officers’ spouses took turns pinning the new ranks on each of the decorated chiefs.
The decoration came barely one week after the Presidency announced a sweeping reshuffle in the military hierarchy.
In the statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, it said the shake-up was part of efforts to inject new direction into the nation’s defence architecture.
READ ALSO:Tinubu Under Fire Over Presidential Pardon For Drug Offenders
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, later told our correspondent that the changes were not connected to recent rumours of a coup plot, saying, “The President acted within his authority as Commander-in-Chief. Service chiefs can be hired and fired by the President.”
On Monday, Tinubu had met privately with the new service chiefs at the Villa.
They arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van escorted by a green Toyota Land Cruiser, and the session lasted about 40 minutes.
READ ALSO:FULL LIST: 175 Beneficiaries Of Tinubu’s Pardons
Presidency sources said the President charged them to take decisive action against insurgents and bandits, particularly in the North.
Last Friday’s reshuffle followed an October 19 report alleging that some officers were plotting to overthrow the government — a claim later dismissed by the Defence Headquarters as “false and mischievous.”
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, said the alleged arrests linked to a coup were “issues of indiscipline” within the ranks, describing the report as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
News
JUST IN: Eurozone Growth Beats Expectations In Third Quarter

The eurozone economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter of 2025, official data showed Thursday.
The EU’s data agency said the 20-country single currency area recorded growth of 0.2 per cent over the July-September period from the previous quarter.
READ ALSO:Atiku Slams Tinubu Over U-turn On Pardon For Convicts
The figure was higher than the 0.1 per cent forecast by analysts for Bloomberg and FactSet.
More details later…
News
PHOTOS: Police Inspector, Others Die In Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Multiple-truck Crash

At least four persons were feared dead while several others sustained injuries in a multiple-vehicle crash involving five articulated trucks on Kara Bridge, inward Mowe, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday.
A police inspector attached to the Lagos State Police Command was said to be among the victims.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, who confirmed the incident on Thursday during a visit to the scene, said emergency response teams worked through the early hours to rescue victims and clear the wreckage.
“We have a case of multiple accidents at the border between Ogun and Lagos State. Five vehicles were involved, all articulated vehicles. Precisely, three people have been rescued from the scene of the accident.
READ ALSO:Ten Feared, Others Injured In Oyo Road Accident
“As early as 5 a.m., we have been on it, and we have other agencies here assisting us. We have LASTMA, the Road Safety Corps, and other security agencies,” Ishola said.
He explained that preliminary investigations showed the crash was caused by a trailer that suffered brake failure.
“At the beginning, we have a trailer that failed to brake, and it is important that everybody in charge of their vehicle ensures proper maintenance,” he stated.
The commissioner also confirmed the death of one of his officers who was part of the police advance team deployed to the scene.

READ ALSO:41 Killed In Mexico Bus Accident
“It’s very unfortunate that we lost one of our police inspectors who came with our advance team to salvage the situation,” he said.
Ishola cautioned motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, against reckless driving, which he described as a leading cause of fatal crashes on highways.

“We want road users, especially those driving articulated vehicles, to stop this kind of recklessness. If they are not reckless in their driving habit, we won’t have this kind of accident,” he warned.

Rescue operations involving the police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and other agencies were still ongoing as of press time, while efforts to remove the damaged vehicles and restore traffic flow continued.
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