The Association Of Local Government Of Nigeria, (ALGON) Oyo State Chapter on Thursday, urged Southwest governors to look at all genuine complaints and suggestions to make the newly launched Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ generally acceptable so as to achieve its set goal of providing complementary security to all.
The association, while declaring support for the security outfit also appealed to the governors to subject its operations to democratic control, management of communities and local government authorities as elected representatives of the grassroots for Amotekun not to be abused and misused.
Oyo ALGON through its Chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass Aleshinloye stated this at the New Year get together and review of year 2019 activities held at ALGON house, Ibadan, the state capital.
Prince Aleshinloye further disclosed that the association will set up a technical committee to study the situation and make recommendations to the governors on it.
“Let me state here that ALGON Oyo State supports Amotekun as we have been doing to create and support any move to address meaningfully the security of life and property as this is the fundamental objective and duty of government at all levels because without security there cannot be governance or development.
“We however wish to appeal to South west governors to subject the operation of Amotekun to democratic control and management of communities and local government authorities as elected representatives of the grassroots for Amotekun not to be abused and misused”, Prince Alesinloye observed.
Reacting to the recent appointment of Caretaker Chairmen in the state , the ALGON boss insisted that the continuous disregard of the Supreme Court judgement and High Court judgement that forbid dissolution of democratically elected Local Government functionaries shows clearly a flagrant disobedience and abuse of rule of law by the Seyi Makinde – led government.
Alesinloye, however dared Governor Makinde to produce the ‘Court Order’ he repeatedly claimed restrained the conduct of local government election organized during the tenure of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
“In his defense, the State Government said the Local Government election that was conducted by the last dispensation was illegal because it contravened court order. The government run by Engr. Seyi Makinde has been asked since then to produce and give evidence of the so-called “Court Order” they repeatedly claimed restrained the conduct of local government election organized during the tenure of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, but all this was to no avail. The order only exists in their imagination.
“As if were not enough, the Governor in his usual characteristics, displayed yet another contempt to highest court of the land with the swearing-in of the outlawed caretaker committee to forcefully take over our seats that were not vacant by law.
“We are equally aware that recently, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has issued an advisory directive to the Attorneys General of all the 36 states including Oyo state, requesting they all comply with the decision of the Supreme court outlawing illegal dissolution of Local Councils and which set aside caretaker appointments over local councils.
“The HAGF by his letter demanded compliance with the Supreme court by a restoration of democratically elected Council Chairmen and Councillors in all councils in the states.
“Uptill now Governor Makinde and his government have continued to act illegally and contrary to democratic norms. We reiterate that we shall not fail to continue to fight this illegality prone, unjust and deceptive administration until Governor Makinde submits to, and obeys our constitution, court judgments and the rule of law, the continuing despise of which is an impeachable offence against him”, prince Aleshinloye concluded
