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Afe Replies Malami: Amotekun Has Its Roots In 1999 Constitution

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• ‘It’s not regional army’
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Southwest governors insisted on Sunday that the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) Operation Amotekun has come to stay.

The security outfit, launched on January 9 to give cover to the zone, was declared illegal by the Federal Government.

Reiterating the position of the governors on Sunday, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said they would not “capitulate to blackmail either from within or outside the region but ready to pursue the Amotekun security scheme through all permissible political and legal means.”

Akeredolu (SAN) is the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum. He made this position known through a statement by Commissioner for Information Donald Ojogo.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Afe Babalola, said attempts by the Federal Government to scuttle the initiative would fail because it is constitutional.

His position tallies with that of other legal giants like Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) and Olisa Agbakoba (SAN).

Akeredolu explained that Amotekun was initiated to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies that appear to have been hampered by the absence of local intelligence gathering.

According to the statement, Amotekun will, when fully operational, serve the purposes of local information and intelligence gathering for the Police, Army and other conventional security agencies.

The statement said: “The concerns expressed by individuals, agencies of government and several stakeholders are noted without bias. Where possible, the inexorable efforts of the Southwest governors will be deepened through relentless interface.

“As such interface and engagements continue, Governor Akeredolu finds it pertinent to say that the on-going discourse on the issue of Amotekun must not be misguidedly used as a platform to ventilate personal or group views aimed at oiling primordial sentiments and grievances. Ethicizing the current situation is even more unhelpful. There should be no reason for such.

“This is more so that the Amotekun scheme is not targeted at any non-Southwest ethnic group just as its benefits are to be reaped by all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious placements.

“ Under circumstances of the nature of Amotekun, the choices are numerous. They range from prevarication and pretence; partisanship and sycophancy as well as moderate and complimentary steps not inimical to the corporate existence of our nation, Nigeria.

“ The Southwest governors have chosen the later. In unequivocal terms too, each of the choices has a consequence, if not consequences.

”Unfortunately, the steps of Southwest governors have unwittingly had to contend with forces of conspiratorial silence and unpretentious moves of sabotage. Each has a right to choices; but certainly, no one individual can circumvent the consequences of whatever choices he or she makes in life.”

It added: “Fears and apprehensions have been expressed in many quarters that his (Akeredolu’s) role in the formation of Amotekun could mar his second term chances. This is far from the truth because Akeredolu is on the path of national cohesion through collaborative internal security.

“The decision taken in respect of Amotekun was in the interest of the entire nation. The political insinuations and blackmail are the required ingredients needed to make it credible. But such will not discourage the governor in any manner.”

Babalola, an elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola university, said those kicking against Amotekun were ignorant of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the previous ones.

Babalola faulted Malami, saying sections 24, 40, 45of the 1999 Constitution impose clear responsibility on citizens to ensure security of their lives and property.

The SAN said it was unfortunate that Malami relied on Article 45 second schedule of the Constitution (amended), that gives to the Federal Government the exclusive power to manage the police.

Babalola defended the Southwest governors, saying they only responded to the yearnings of the people of the geopolitical zone for improved security since the central police system had failed to safeguard them and their property.

He pointed out that kidnapping, armed robbery, herdsmen/farmers clashes and other security challenges prompted the formation of Amotekun as a regional response to stem the developments.

The legal giant argued further that the governors had the right to protect their people because that was the ultimate responsibility of responsive governments.

He said: “Amotekun is a protective and supportive outfit established by the governors of the Southwest. It has its roots in the 1999 Constitution and the constitutions before it – 1960 and 1963.

”Section 24 of the constitution provides that ‘it shall be the duty of every citizen to make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides’. Well-being means security of life and property, etcetera. How many Nigerians realise that they have a duty to assist and to protect the interest of their community and themselves.

”And Section 40 goes further that ‘every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests’.

”When you put these two together, it shows that all of us have the duty to associate whether as Yoruba or as state people to ensure that lives and properties are safe. The Amotekun outfit has its roots in the Constitution. It is constitutional, it is legal and proper.”

He added: “If this outfit had been established about 10 years ago, we would not have these issue of kidnapping, killing and other security challenges. We won’t have those who go to the farms to kill people because they would be fished out. That is why the Constitution says that such outfit should report to the police.

”What I have just said is that it is to support the police and support the government in their duty to ensure that there is peace, safety of property and lives. It is a good idea. It is belated but it is lawful and constitutional.

”All that the AGF said is that Article 45 of the Constitution, second schedule gives to the Federal Government the exclusive power to manage the police, he did not say that sections 20, 40 and 45 are abrogated. They cannot abrogate it.

”The sections I have quoted are superior to the schedule he is talking about and in any event, the governors have not set up a parallel police outfit. What they have done is to set up a supportive and protective organ to assist the police and in their communiqué, they said it would report to the police.

”The law says you can join together in association to assist the police. How can the police or any government be angry about this.

”In my opinion, the act has been done. Amotekun has been launched, let them go on. What the state governors have done is legal, so why should they bother? Let them (Federal Government) try to go to court. They will meet the governors there. All what they would have to do is to show them sections 24, 40, 45 of the 1999 Constitution.

”It is a case that must fail if they go to court. They have not set up a parallel police outfit. No. the Constitution says it is your duty to protect the interest of yourself and others and join together in doing so. So simple. The case will be so easy to win.”

Yoruba youth groups under the umbrella of Yoruba World Congress (YWC) are planning a support rally for Amotekun in the capital cities of the six Southwest on Tuesday.

A renowned historian and YWC convener, Prof. Banji Akintoye, who made this known, also said the rally would take place in Ilorin, Kwara State.

”We the Yoruba nation, we are going to speak up. By Tuesday (tomorrow), there will be masses of people in the streets in the seven capital towns of Yoruba people, “ he told officials of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission when he visited their office in Ibadan at the weekend.

The DAWN commission, a body in charge of championing the development of the Southwest geopolitical zone, coordinates Amotekun.

He explained that Ilorin was added because Kwara is a largely a Yoruba state.

Akintoye said there was need for the Yoruba to rally round the six governors since Amotekun was a good initiative by them.

He urged the DAWN commission, being the body in charge of championing the development of the region, to coordinate the implementation of the security network.

His words: You are the coordinating agency for Amotekun; don’t leave the governors for those people that have personal agendas to tear at them. Our governors are doing a good job now; we owe them the duty of standing up for them.”

The Director-General of DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye, said Amotekun was not meant to protect Nigeria but ”the people living here(Southwest), whether you are Ibibio or Efik or Igala.”

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Power Belongs To God – Fubara Taunts Detractors

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Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara says he is not bothered about a second term in office. Fubara told traditional rulers, chiefs, and leaders of Kalabari-Ijaw who visited him in Port Harcourt that his current preoccupation was ensuring peace and development in the state.

Sounding philosophical, he said: ‘’power resides with God.’’

Fubara referred to a politician (Abubakar Audu ) who was elected governor of Kogi State but never lived to witness his inauguration.

He was also quick to tell the delegation that his supporters needed not worry about his re-election because “when we get to the bridge we will cross it.”

His words: “Power belongs to God. There is a late governor-elect, from one of the northern states, he won an election. After winning, he didn’t live to be sworn in, not even sworn in, to be declared before swearing-in.

“So, I believe that when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. So, you don’t need to worry when we get to that bridge we will cross it. It will be in a way that our enemies will be struggling and they won’t see when we are passing and they will wake up to see that we are on the other side of the bridge.”

The governor said people should realise the limited nature of life and know that the most important task remained to be peaceful with themselves and their neighbours.

“It (peaceful co-existence) reduces every acrimony. It is only when there is peace that there will be development. It is only when there is peace in our communities that government can come in to do things,” Fubara said.

The governor said he was overwhelmed by the calibre of Kalabari people that visited him and mocked those, who he said could not mobilise five percent of his visitors for a reception.

He said: “What I see here is only the Kalabari, we have not added the Igbanis or the Okrika and Ogu/Gbolo people. Some people organise a reception in the name of Ijaw but they did not have five percent of what we have here and the quality of chiefs that we have here, including the traditional rulers that are here. So, we have here, the right people sitting with the true Kalabari ethnic nationality.

“There is no story anywhere and nothing to be said. Look at the faces of the people here. These are the true faces of the Kalabari people, anybody who is not here, there might be a reason, probably an issue of nature. The truth about it is that you have spoken and everybody has heard you. The message is clear and I am secure.”

The governor commended his visitors, saying that his gestures towards their communities were not borne out of his desire for votes but ‘’out of responsibility to make their lives better.’’

Fubara said: “You have given me so much energy and a reason to dare other areas within your place where others are scared to enter. We entered the first, then we can enter the second one.

“It is usually said that honesty is very expensive and you don’t expect it from cheap people. My heart is very clean and my commitment to governance is pure.

“So, when you see what we are doing, you will understand that we are not cheap people, we are honest and expensive with the quality of the things we are doing. Don’t expect it from others, you can only get it from those their intentions are pure”.

The governor explained that his administration ventured into the Trans-Kalabari Road with its eyes open.

“It isn’t a joke. it is a big project and we believe that at the end, the level of development that it will attract to that line entry into Kalabari will be unprecedented”, he said.

Fubara commended his visitors and promised that his government would visit issues of shore protection and reclamation of more land. swamps and creeks.

The governor, who also spoke on tertiary education in the state, said: “It won’t be like those campuses created but not self-sustaining, and as of today there is a memo requesting that those campuses be consolidated back to the main campus of the university. Ours won’t be that way.

He praised Kalabari sons and daughters in his administration, especially the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tammy Danagogo for their overwhelming support.

On the characters of the Ijaw, he said: “You know our people, our Ijaw people no matter the ethnic group whether the Igbani, the Kalabari, the Wakrike and even part of Abua, they are people with character. We have conquered because of our strong will.

“We are a people that even if you are feeding us when you do the wrong thing we will ask you to take your food, but we will stand by the truth.

‘’I want us to continue to be that strong people. They will come in different ways to divide us, but we must remain strong. You have been standing. Continue to stand with us.

“Be assured that we will continue to defend you. Those of you who have legal battles because you are supporting us, we will not abandon you. Your success is our success. I am happy to talk to you people and honestly very emotional.”

 

 

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Supreme Court Dismisses Gov Fubara’s Suit Seeking To Remove 27 Pro-Wike Lawmakers In Rivers

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The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara over the re-presentation of the 2024 budget before the 27 members of the State House of Assembly loyal to Nyesom Wike.

The Apex Court on Monday dismissed the suit in a ruling delivered by Justice Musa Uwani-Aba-Aji following the dramatic withdrawal of the appeal by Fubara through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali SAN.

Governor Fubara, in the notice for withdrawal of the case, simply informed a 3-man panel of Justices of the Court that events had overtaken his suit.

The request for the withdrawal of the contentious suit was not opposed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, who were represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN.

Following no objections from the parties, the Apex Court dismissed the case and awarded N4M against Fubara to be paid to the House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the dismissal of the suit, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ken Njemanze said that the coast had been finally cleared for the 27 lawmakers to take over the House of Assembly fully.

The senior advocate explained that all steps taken by Fubara in the absence of the 27 lawmakers, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to only three lawmakers, among others, have become a nullity.

The Court of Appeal had, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, dismissed Fubara’s appeal on the same matter.

Similarly, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho on January 22, 2024, nullified the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four members of the House of Assembly.

The court had described the bill’s passage by the four lawmakers, led by Hon. Ehie Edison, as an aberration and illegality.

It consequently ordered Governor Fubara to re-present the budget to the Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly.

The suit filed by the 27 members of the Assembly loyal to the former governor of the state and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, received the blessings of the lower court.

Listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 are the National Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Clerk to the National Assembly.

Others include Governor Fubara, Hon. Edison, the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Justice Omotosho, while ruling on an ex-parte motion by the 27 legislators, issued an interim order restraining Fubara and his agents from obstructing the pro-Wike legislators from carrying out their constitutional duties.

He also restrained the governor from removing/redeploying the Clerk of the Assembly and withholding funds meant for the Assembly, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

But, while the order subsisted, Governor Fubara presented the budget passed by the four lawmakers loyal to him. The governor also prevented the pro-Wike legislators from sitting by demolishing part of the Assembly complex and withholding funds for legislative functions.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the four lawmakers’ passage of the budget and other actions taken while the November 30, 2023 order subsisted amounted to a nullity.

He said the governor acted like a tyrant in the manner in which the Assembly complex was partially demolished and funds for legislative activities were withheld.

The judge issued an order restraining Fubara from frustrating the Assembly, led by Hon. Amaewhule, from sitting or interfering in its activities.

He also described as unlawful Governor Fubara’s redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk out of the Assembly, stating that the action amounted to an affront on the separation of powers.

The judge ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume office immediately and unhindered.

Apart from asking Fubara to promptly release all monies standing to the credit of the Assembly, he also ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately deploy his operatives to the Assembly complex.

The judge had also barred the National Assembly from taking over the Assembly or accepting or treating any request by Governor Fubara on any matter affecting the legislature.

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Kwankwaso Wooing Aregbesola To Get S’West Votes – Kwankwasiya Chieftain

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Emerging information has suggested that last Saturday’s meeting between former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, may have been a strategic move by Kwankwaso to assess his political options in the South-West ahead of the 2027 elections.

The two political heavyweights held a closed-door meeting at Aregbesola’s residence in Lagos.

While details of their discussion were not made public, the encounter has fuelled speculation about a possible coalition or alignment.

A source within the Kwankwasiya camp told The PUNCH that Kwankwaso is seeking to leverage Aregbesola’s influence, especially given his estrangement from President Bola Tinubu and his recent exit from the All Progressives Congress.

“It is no secret that Kwankwaso has long sought to expand his political influence beyond the Niger. However, he has faced challenges because many influential figures in the South-West are loyal to Asiwaju. Aregbesola presents an opportunity for him to rekindle his dream of capturing the region, particularly in Lagos and Osun, where Aregbesola commands significant clout,” the source said.

Recently, the Aregbesola-backed political group, Omoluabi Progressives, announced its exit from the APC in Osun, citing victimisation by the party’s mainstream leadership.

Since then, speculation has mounted over Aregbesola’s next political move.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that the meeting between Aregbesola and Kwankwaso was part of efforts to “build bridges across the Niger.”

“All the cards are on the table. If it were left to Kwankwaso, nothing would have leaked to the media. These are still early-stage discussions. However, as you may have noticed, Aregbesola has also been meeting with various political figures. So, it’s not just about him and Kwankwaso. They are, however, two prominent individuals in the evolving political landscape,” Johnson stated.

When asked whether Aregbesola might align with the North to work against Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, Johnson emphasized that the former Osun governor does not require an invitation to stake his claim in any political movement.

He also dismissed the idea that Tinubu’s allies could intimidate Aregbesola, describing him as a formidable grassroots politician with deep-rooted structures in Osun, Lagos, and across Yorubaland.

“Didn’t he oppose Tinubu in 2023? He did, and the sky didn’t fall. Now that he is no longer in the APC, he is politically free. Aregbesola played a major role in Tinubu’s political machinery for years. He was the driving force behind many of Tinubu’s successful campaigns, especially in Lagos. It is well known that in the past, Tinubu could barely move through Alimosho without Aregbesola,” Johnson said.

He further noted that both Kwankwaso and Aregbesola are known for their grassroots approach to politics, adding that whether or not either of them contests in 2027, their influence will be a game-changer for any political group or candidate they choose to support.

“At the moment, I don’t think Aregbesola is planning to contest any position. But he would be a massive ally in the South for Kwankwaso. If they don’t run, they will still dramatically impact whichever candidates or parties they align with. It’s still early days, and many things will crystallise by the last quarter of this year or next,” Johnson added.

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