Demand accountability as govt revenue rises, Falana tells Nigerians

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on Nigerians to demand accountability from all levels of government regarding the increase in revenue. Falana, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, questioned why the additional funds were not translating into improved living conditions for Nigerians. He highlighted the poor state of a road leading to Afe Babalola University in Ekiti State, which was receiving substantial funding from the local government while residents blamed the Federal Government.

Falana criticized the allocation of funds, arguing that fixing the road should not have cost more than N500 million. He urged citizens to scrutinize how each tier of government was spending the increased revenue, emphasizing that the local, state, and Federal Governments all needed to be held accountable. Falana also expressed concern over the removal of fuel subsidy, questioning where the benefits of economic reforms were being realized while citizens faced worsening living conditions.

He criticized the use of funds earmarked for fuel importation, stating that the bulk of that money was being used for debt servicing instead of being saved. Falana maintained that the Nigerian people should now demand accountability from the Federal, state, and local governments, as they were receiving more money, at least on paper.