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OPINION: Operation Amotekun And Emerging Questions | By Rahaman Onike
What initially appeared to be daydream or advanced fashion of it called nightmare has turned to reality on Thursday, 9th December 2020 with the launching of operation Amotekun by the governors of South west states, in the city of ibadan.
By conceptualization and etymology of the word Amotekun in Yoruba, it makes a lot of sense, if performance and reality is judged from semantic viewpoints.
The message the operation code intends to pass across is that just like the leopard, the Yoruba are rarely aggressive. If nothing else, the operation code has the benefit of helping the region win the war against insecurity from psychological front.
The word leopard by way of semantic transfer is sending a strong message to kidnappers, herdsmen, armed robbers, bandits etc that Yoruba can only get provoked when confronted and intruded upon.
By Yoruba historical antecedence, there is no denial of the fact that Yoruba people remain one of the ethnic groups that typically unite when they face adversity and take pride in being aggressive when it comes to defending their territories against intruding forces.
Six months ago when six governors of South west Nigeria states met in Ibadan for a security summit, the idea of setting up a regional collaborative security agency was muted. Today, the western Nigeria security network was birthed .
I trust that the governors with the launch of Amotekun today will make way for further regional integration, growth and development in the South West.
The cynics have somehow been proved wrong with the launching and applauce that greeted the birth of this jointly funded security outfit. In all intents and purposes, formation of joint security force by the governors of South west is long over due,the fear from some quarters not withstanding.
Whoever understands the kind of security challenges in the region is recently being confronted with, will appreciate the need for security task-force code named Operation Amotekun.
Some Yoruba opinion leaders supported and rejoiced over the new formation in anticipation that such regional cooperation will lead to economic prosperity for the South west geopolitical zone, while we still have well meaning Yoruba Elders that do not believe in the initiative.
In the category, we have people like Comrade Yinka Odumaki who have expressed disagreement with those rejoicing that Operation Amotekun will rid South west of security challenges.
Without prejudice to the numerical strength of those that opposed the idea of joint security task force,what cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand is the premise upon which they based their arguments.
Any true observers of Nigeria’s political development will be forced to tolerate those that opposed the idea of Operation Amotekun giving their insistence on true federalism.
With the modus operandi of Operation Amotekun, nothing suggests that the new security outfit is equivalent to state police which has been a subject of agitation for long. It becomes worrisome when the calibre of the Publicity Secretary of Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Organization, Afenifere, Comrade Yinka Odumakin could have publicly declared that without true federalism the idea of Operation Amotekun will be a waste of time.
Given the position of Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland on the issue, Iba Gani Adams was optimistic that the initiative would suppress the vagaries of insecurity pervading the Yorubaland in the last five years. What this means is that not every Yoruba Leader is in support of this new mission.
The fact that some do not agree with the initiative doesn’t make it not workable.
As people continue to laud the idea and urging support for it’s effective performance, there are still some questions begging for answers. One, has the federal government truly blessed and endorsed the formation of a regional security outfit. If Yes, what was the limitations set for it’s operation?
Surprisingly, the presidential spokespersons or the National Security Adviser has not issued any statement up till this moment. However, the report has it that the Inspector General of Police has endorsed Operation Amotekun in the South west. This police endorsement came at the wake of rumour making the rounds that the police and military are not ready to embark on joint patrol with men of Operation Amotekun.
While congratulating the South west governors for the feat, there is still need for further enlightenment as many are still in doubts of the statutes setting up this organization.
Despite my support for this initiative which was prompted by exigency, I still have my reservations, if truly the security apparatus do not have power to arrest or directly prosecute an offenders.
Even when there are plans to train members of this security outfit, backlashes are bound to occur, if truly men of Operation Amotekun are not authorized to shoot suspected criminals.
Another question begging for answer is how would the activity of the outfit not conflict with that of statutory and other legally constituted security agencies?
Again, there is also fear that what will become of Operation Amotekun in the case whereby these Regional Security Guards later turned into another extortionist security outfit of equal importance is the fear that there may be power conflict if there is no definitive chain -of -command structure for Amotekun Operation in the region?
Last but not the least is the question of how the governors who are the financiers of the security outfits not going to be using the organization to settle political scores or for victimization of their political opponents? Which measures have also been put in place to ensure accountability and efficient performance of operation Amotekun?
Above all, I congratulate the initiators particularly the South west Governors for this initiative despite the grey areas in their operational guidelines and questions begging for answers.
By Rahaman Onike,
Public Affairs Analyst writes from Oyo, Oyo State
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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