A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders.
He made the call at the 4th Anniversary of the late Yinka Odumakin Lecture organised by the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation on Wednesday in Lagos.
The rights activist decried what he called the “rule of rulers” instead of the rule of law in the country.
Falana stressed that leaders must be held accountable for their actions.
He challenged Nigerians to start asking questions and demanding transparency.
He also encouraged the citizens to request a copy of their local government’s budget.
Falana said the people should ensure that Senators and House of Representatives members are held accountable for their constituency budgets.
“They must ensure the implementation of their budgets. We must begin with the appropriation of state budgets. Let us demand a copy of the budget and seek accountability.
“Find out how your local government spends its money. They must implement the budget.
“We must hold them accountable to serve the people. Nigerians need to ask questions,” he said.
Falana equally condemned the Lagos State government for allegedly demolishing homes of the poor without approval while allowing the rich to bypass similar laws.
“The government is demolishing houses occupied by the poor. But when the rich, including those in Banana Island, do the same, the government ratifies the law,” he claimed.
He asked Nigerians to support one another, stressing that “injustice to one is injustice to all.”
Earlier, in his goodwill message, the factional leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, urged the human rights community to continue fighting for democracy.
© Ripples Nigeria
