Opinions

Amotekun: Time for Buhari/Osinbajo’s intervention

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5 years ago

The challenges of our security infrastructure are the concern of us all and not just those in government but all of whom are concerned about the peace and harmony of our nation. –Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

THERE is relative calm in the air across the country, especially in the South-Western region of Nigeria, following an agreement reached by the Federal Government and the six governors of the region on the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) code-named Amotekun. The security intervention project, initiated by the Seye Oyeleye-led Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, an offshoot of Oodu’a Investment Company Limited, was specifically aimed at checkmating and tackling the myriad of insecurity challenges bedeviling the people of the region, particularly from the activities of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, ritual killing, armed robbery, herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts, cyber and other crimes, threatening the lives and property in the region But the inauguration of the joint security outfit popularly known as Amotekun on January 9 had sparked off reactions across the country, as some sections of the country expressed concerns over its establishment. While the Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, described the formation of the security outfit as unconstitutional, given that there was no legal backing for the regional security outfit, others saw it as a political decision capable of undermining the unity of the nation. Yet, a host of Nigerians, who also ethnicised and politicised the project, said the idea was aimed at restructuring the nation through a back door approach.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, insisted, in a statement, that the Western Nigeria Security Network is unlawful, quoting Article 45 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which gives the Federal Government exclusive powers over the police. Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who is also Chief Law Officer of the Federation and Legal Adviser, called for the suspension of the project, but the six South-West governors and other legal luminaries like him (Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba and Chief Afe Babalola) and a senior legal scholar, Professor Itse Sagay, have explained to the AGF the legality of the security outfit quoting the same 1999 Constitution. Hence, the formation of the security outfit continued to generate reactions and counter-reactions from different personalities across the country, especially from the South-West region, in addition to massive protests in support of Amotekun in the six South-West states, namely: Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, but it was not until Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo brokered peace between the governors and AGF Malami that a common ground was agreed upon. At the meeting held behind closed doors for several hours, which was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, Professor Osinbajo was able to resolve the highly sensitive issue amicably, while the worrying parties came to a logical conclusion on the matter.

It was learnt that the meeting was at the instance of the governors who had asked to meet President Muhammadu Buhari over the controversy surrounding the Amotekun initiative. But due to the president’s foreign engagement in the United Kingdom, he asked the vice-president to host the meeting. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the vice-president on media, Mr Laolu Akande, the meeting was described as very fruitful, as it laid to rest all the issues generating controversy between the parties. According to him, “the meeting was very fruitful and unanimous resolutions were made on the way forward. Having regard to the need for all hands to be on deck in addressing security concerns across the country, it was agreed that the structure of Amotekun should also align with the community policing strategy of the Federal Government. It was also agreed that necessary legal instruments will be put in place by each of the states to give legal backing to the initiative and address all issues concerning the regulation of the security structure.”

Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who is also the chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum, said the meeting gave all parties ample opportunity to explain their positions and to agree on the way forward for security in the country. Akeredolu said: “We have rubbed minds and all of us have agreed on the way forward. The most important one is that we are going to have legal framework to back this Amotekun. This legal framework is going to be one which we all are going to look at and will be sure to go without any hindrances.” On whether Amotekun had been placed on hold pending the formulation and passage of the legal framework, the governor said: “No! What I believe is our resolution is that Amotekun is there. You know the Federal Government is about to start community policing. In essence really, it’s about the community. So, we are going to work together to see the community policing and Amotekun work together in a way.” Meanwhile, Nigerians have continued to react to peaceful resolution of the Amotekun initiative, commending President Buhari for yet entrusting Professor Osinbajo with the power to resolve the highly sensitive issue, saying that the Amotekun issue, if not handled intelligently, could lead to needless conflict and disunity.

They also commended the professor for being a symbol of unity, maturity and stability in the country, saying that the vice-president had always proven to be a dependable ally to the president. Among prominent Nigerians who have commended President Buhari for entrusting Vice-President Osinbajo with the task of resolving the issue amicably are a prominent United States (US)-based Nigerian and former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader, Dr. Baba Adams, who said that President Buhari deserved commendation for allowing his deputy to intervene and resolve the volatile issue.

The respected politician said Professor Osinbajo had done an outstanding job again by saving the nation from falling into unnecessary conflict and calamity of disunity, urging the president to entrust him with more sensitive responsibilities. Dr Adam said: “Thank you for bestowing trust in the vice-president, (Pastor) Professor Osinbajo, SAN, to provide the leadership on resolving the highly sensitive Amotekun issue… As in all other assignments, the vice-president has done an outstanding job again and saved the nation from falling into unnecessary conflict and calamity of disunity.”

He added that: “This is the first salvo and we highly recommend you to further empower or delegate the vice president to resolve this issue – as not only in the South-West, but also the rest of the nation, as well as APC-led states, such as Nasarawa – have already expressed interest in implementing community policing, local government policing and state policing.”

It is also on record that prior to the establishment of Amotekun, Vice-President Osinbajo had been an advocate of a community policing to strengthen the existing security apparatus in the state.

According to Professor Osinbajo, the security challenges of the country were complex and that securing Nigeria’s over 900,000 square kilometres and 180 million people required far more men and materials than the nation has at the moment. Hence, he said that adoption of state police was the way to go in meeting security needs of the country.

The vice-president, who said this at the 2018 National Summit, added that every Nigerian was entitled to adequate security by the government and that the security failures of the government were not deliberate.

“We cannot realistically police a country the size of Nigeria centrally from Abuja. As a people, any killing undermines the security of the state,” he stated as he mentioned “several killings that had taken place in different parts of the country in recent times,”

He said the government had worked on some policy objectives, some of which needed legislative approval and cooperation of the judiciary.

“It requires a continual reengineering of our security architecture and strategies; this has to be a dynamic process.”

As things stand now, it is expected that the stand of the vice-president should calm frayed nerves and propel Nigerians to stand together on the same page with regards to security of lives and properties.