Renowned human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has condemned the state of politics in Nigeria, describing it as being hijacked by criminals and political thugs who show little regard for the nation’s economic growth and citizen welfare.
Speaking at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin Oodua held in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Falana expressed dismay over what he called widespread bad governance and infrastructural decay in the Southwest, blaming regional governors for failing to address rising poverty levels.
The conference, themed “Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development,” featured Falana as a panelist, where he criticized political leaders for prioritizing personal gain over public service.
“During the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, politics was driven by intellectuals. Today, it is in the hands of criminals and touts who have no interest in the country’s development,” Falana stated.
He particularly faulted Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to allocate N63 billion for the rehabilitation of the Government House, describing the move as an irresponsible expenditure of public funds. According to Falana, such funds would have been better invested in critical infrastructure and social development projects.