Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has said the United States could have descended into a “banana republic” under President Donald Trump if not for the timely intervention of the American judiciary.
Falana made the remark while commenting on President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the controversy surrounding the freezing of local government allocations in Osun State, stressing that every action taken by government authorities must be firmly rooted in the rule of law.
According to the human rights lawyer, the independence of the judiciary remains the strongest safeguard against executive excesses, citing the United States as an example where the courts have consistently acted to uphold constitutional order.
“Without the intervention of the courts in America, President Trump would have turned that country into a banana republic,” Falana said.
He argued that democratic governance can only thrive where institutions are allowed to function independently and without political interference, adding that no government, regardless of its mandate, should act outside the confines of the law.
Falana further maintained that adherence to due process and respect for judicial pronouncements are essential to preserving Nigeria’s democracy, urging public office holders to ensure that all official decisions comply with constitutional provisions.
His comments come amid growing debate over the Federal Government’s role in resolving the Osun local government allocation dispute, with stakeholders calling for strict compliance with legal and constitutional procedures.
