FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGREES WITH TAKE OFF OF AMOTEKUN, GIVES LEGAL FRAMEWORK AS CONDITION

The Federal Government and the Governors of the six South-West states have agreed on a resolutions for the takeoff of Amotekun, the new security network set up by the region, which is that, the structure of the outfit should align with the Community Policing strategy of the Federal Government.

Penpushing reports that the meeting which was at the instance of the Governors was chaired by the  Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinabjo alongside the Inspector General of Police,Mohammed and the  Attorney-General Abubakar Malami , who had earlier pronounced the outfit as illegal.

The spokesman of the Vice President, Laolu Akande who made this known after the Tursday meeting in Abuja, said , the meeting was fruitful following unanimous resolutions on the way forward for Amotekun project to see the light of the day

“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 the 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”, Akande said in a statement

Penpushing further reports that, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu , who spoke on behalf of his colleagues corroborated the Vice President while speaking with to journalists after the meeting,, adding that the States are going to work together with the Federal Government on the project.

“What I believe is our resolution is that Amotekun is there, you know the federal government is starting community policing, in essence really is about community. So, we are going to work together to see the community policing and Amotekun work in a way,” he said.

‘Well we had a very fruitful discussion. Governors of south west as you know we were all there.The meeting was presided over by the Vice President. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was there as well as the Inspector General of Police’.

‘So, we have robbed 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. And this legal framework is going to be one which we all are going to look at and will be sure to go without any hinderance.

Penpushing reports that, when Akeredolu was asked to clarify whether Amotekun had been put on hold until the legal framework is developed explained, ‘No. What I believe is our resolution is that Amotekun is there, you know the federal government is starting community policing, in essence really is about community. So, we are going to work together to see the community policing and Amotekan work in a way

The Governor debunked speculations that there was no such consultations before the launch of the outfit, stating that, ’No no no, there were consultations, don’t say there were no consultations. There were consultations because, we held discussions with the IG then and what has developed is what has led to this, not that there were no consultations’.

‘We just felt that with all these noise outside it is better for us to sit down. Remember that immediately the noise started, I said that we are going to explore political solution and all of us are here, my colleague the deputy governor of Oyo who is of the PDP, all of us are here. So we have looked at this solution to it now, both political and legal solutions to it and all of us will do it’.

Penpushing further reports that, Akeredolu dismissed insinuations that the Federal Government  is trying to stop it, stressing,’No, the government is not trying to stop it. The attorney general has spoken on that, I’m sure you have all read the statement that he was misinterpreted. So it’s so clear, there was no time that government wanted to stop Amotekun and the AGF having spoken, it’s all about us, so there is no problem.