In a solemn outpouring of grief, citizens of Ondo State, as well as many across the nation, including President Bola Tinubu, paid heartfelt tributes to the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, who succumbed to a prolonged illness on Wednesday, the 27th of December 2023.
Akeredolu, a former Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), held various leadership positions throughout his life, leaving an indelible mark on his home state and the nation at large. Notably, he was instrumental in bringing about positive changes in various facets of Nigerian life.
One of the significant aspects for which Akeredolu is being widely celebrated is his pivotal role in the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), commonly known as “Amotekun.” This regional security outfit was conceived to collaborate with the police and other security agencies, aiming to enhance security in the western states of Nigeria.
On January 9, 2020, Akeredolu, as the chair of the Southwest Governors Forum, spearheaded the founding of the security network, officially named “Operation Amotekun.” The initiative sought to address and mitigate insecurity issues in Nigeria’s former western region, which had been divided into six states over time. The decision was collectively made by the six governors of Nigeria’s southwestern states during a regional security summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
However, the formation of Amotekun faced backlash, with critics deeming it “unconstitutional.” The federal government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, declared Amotekun an illegal operation, citing Section 214 part 1 of the Nigerian Constitution, which exclusively mandates the existence of the Nigeria Police Force.
Akeredolu staunchly defended the necessity of Amotekun, asserting that the constitution does not prohibit governors from implementing such security measures. Emphasizing that protecting the people is a primary government duty, he argued that governors have the prerogative to determine the best course of action for safeguarding their states.
After consultations between the Southern Governors Forum and Malami, a decision was reached to provide legal backing to the operation, with a clarification that it would be state-based rather than regional. The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, also endorsed the collaboration between the police and Amotekun to address crime-related issues.
In August 2020, following the passage of the bill establishing the security outfit by the Ondo State House of Assembly, Akeredolu inaugurated the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Operation Amotekun. This move marked Ondo as the first state to launch the Amotekun outfit.
Akeredolu, undeterred by the initial legal challenges, consistently championed Amotekun, even pledging to procure arms for the security network. He boldly asserted that if certain northern states were allowed to arm their security outfits, Amotekun should be granted the same right.
The late governor expressed confidence in the effectiveness of Amotekun, noting that the state government had thoroughly trained the operatives to address security challenges in the southwestern region. Despite the constitutional debates surrounding state and regional policing, Akeredolu remained resolute in advocating for Amotekun to tackle security issues, fostering collaborations with the government for its effectiveness.
In the wake of Akeredolu’s passing, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has appealed to the governors in the Southwest to sustain Amotekun as a tribute to immortalize Akeredolu and ensure that his efforts are not in vain.
