Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for proposing to spend ₦63 billion on the rehabilitation of the state’s Government House.
Falana made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking as a panellist at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin O’dua, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He described the planned expenditure as extravagant and symptomatic of reckless governance in the South-West.
“The governor of Oyo State, who comes to work from his private residence, now wants to rehabilitate the Government House with ₦63 billion—an amount that can provide good roads and electricity across the state,” he said.
Falana also accused other South-West governors of prioritising personal luxury over public welfare. He singled out the Lagos State House of Assembly, alleging it spent ₦45 billion on utility vehicles in its first four years and is planning to allocate another ₦20 billion for the same purpose.
“We are quick to criticise misappropriation in Abuja, but in Lagos, after spending ₦45 billion on SUVs, the House is planning to spend another ₦20 billion while the people wallow in poverty,” he said.
Highlighting worsening infrastructure and lack of emergency response, Falana cited the example of Ikorodu, which has been flooded for days. “If it were abroad, helicopters would be dropping food for victims. But here, nothing is done,” he lamented.
Falana warned that the South-West risks regression unless leaders adopt transparent governance and prioritise public interest.