Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has condemned governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde for spending a staggering N63bn for the rehabilitation of the Government House.
This is as he accused governors of the southwest of reckless mismanagement of public funds.
Speaking on Wednesday as a panellist at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin O’dua, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Falana accused the governors of abandoning the people for personal enrichment.
“The governor of Oyo State, who comes to work from his private residence, now wants to rehabilitate the government house with N63bn, an amount that can provide good roads and electricity across the state,” he said.
He also took a swipe at the Lagos State government, alleging that the state House of Assembly spent ₦45bn on utility vehicles in four years and was planning another ₦20bn allocation for the same purpose, even as large parts of the state suffer neglect.
The human rights lawyer said the Southwest region may continue to regress unless political leaders, both at the state and local government, stay honest with the people and prioritise good governance and service to the people.
Falana added, “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 SUVs in the first four years, the state House of Assembly is planning to spend another N20bn on the purchase of utility vehicles, yet the people are wallowing in poverty.”
The activist lawyer warned that the region was regressing due to widespread poverty, decaying education, and a lack of vision-driven leadership.
Falana added, “Ikorodu has been submerged for the last three days. If it were to be abroad, they would 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, wants to rehabilitate the government house with ₦63bn the amount that is enough to provide good roads and electricity for the state.
“While people in Ikorodu have been submerged for days, no real emergency response has been provided. Abroad, they would deploy helicopters for food drops. But here, nothing,”
