Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN has condemned the treatment of victims of flooding across the country by the Nigerian government. According to Falana, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government refused to ask the citizens to hold the state governments to account for funds meant for building and equipping hospitals. Falana stated this on Monday in a Convocation Lecture titled “Remaking Nigeria: The Youth as Change-Agents”, and delivered at the Augustine University, Ilara, (AUI) Epe, Lagos State.
Buhari Government Ought To Call Its Minister To Order For Saying ‘God Is Responsible For Floods’ – FalanaIn the last few days, flooding has wreaked havoc on communities across Nigeria, leading to killings and displacement of many people.Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN has condemned the treatment of victims of flooding across the country by the Nigerian government.
Falana said, “Instead of inciting citizens to demand explanation which will be ignored by state governments, the Federal Government should submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the investigation of the mismanagement of the ecological fund which is a crime against humanity.
“According to the figures released by the National Emergency Management Agency , more than two million people have been affected by the flood, with over 600 deaths. Properties worth trillions of Naira have been destroyed while several people have been cut off from trade and food supply due to a lack of access to their communities.
“In fact, political parties and majority of candidates are busy campaigning for votes without expressing solidarity with the victims of the natural disaster. While dismissing the deleterious effect of climate change the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has said that God is responsible for floods that have submerged various parts of the country.”
The senior lawyer asked the Nigerian government to address the crisis of perennial flooding in the river Niger and Benue basins as well as the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.