In the last few weeks, the nation's public space has been awashed with shades of opinion on whether WNSN (AMOTEKUN) is legal or not. This came in response to a statement credited to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Shehu Malami in which he said that the establishment of AMOTEKUN was illegal.
I write to mention just a few issues that bothers on the exclusivity of the constitutional role of Federal Government on security.
Even though the Nigerian constitution may have conferred on the FG the exclusive right of control on security throughout the nation, we are also aware that the same constitution vest exclusivity of the control of security in every state of the federation in the Executive Governor of the state. Since the inception of the current democracy, the FG cannot averse to the truth that it has effectively played the exclusivity card in its handling of internal security in Nigeria at anytime. In fact, it is on record that states contribute a larger percentage of funding outside of personnel cost, to the Nigerian Police than the Federal Government. I stand to be corrected, but I make bold to say, that most vehicles on the inventory of the Nigerian Police since 1999 and till date were purchased by states and Local government and by private sector. we remember the ALGON Prado SUVs and motorbikes. purchases by states have remained endless. Also, states provide funds for fuelling of the vehicles on monthly Bases. The irony is that these Governors each of whom the Constitution describes as the " Chief Security Officer' in their respective states cannot give any order to a Police Commissioner, DSS State Director or Army Commander without them making a confirmation from Abuja whether to obey of not. I remembered the Fulani massacre in Enugu States about two or three years back. Despite every effort by the governor in providing required logistics against a known and impending massacre and all assurances by the police, army and other sister organisations, the massacre still took place early morning.
So, the questions that readily comes to mind to which the FG should be made to provide answer are, (1) Does the Constitution confer exclusivity without financial responsibility? (2) where is the fund voted yearly in federal budgets for the Nigerian police? (3) why has the federal government not refused states financial contributions to the police in the spirit of exclusivity of control over internal security?
In fact, in my own view, the states have carried the burdens of the police such that it allowed the federal government to delve into "exclusive rascality" in the management of internal security. you may ask me, how? The states haven picked up substantial part in Nigerian police bills have allowed the federal government to shift that role on the states, turning the State Governor into 'Chief Financier of State Security' while top police management and federal officials are neck deep in pilferage of security funds at federal level. We remember Tafa Balogun and many more. Not only that. As if that is not enough, the same Nigerian Police has muzzled the general public by turning itself into established bribery syndicate from top down, milking Nigerians on daily basis under pretences of not being well paid, and having to run the system's logistics on their own. So the observation is that even the FG (that is claiming exclusivity) still cannot take care of police personnel needs. so, where is the claim to 'exclusivity of role' by the FG.
Now I come to the deliverables. the FG should be reminded that a claim to exclusivity in role comes with exclusivity of responsibility and accountability. Despite being funded by states and local governments, and by funds pilfered from the general public over the years, the FG and the police have had nothing to show the Nigerian nation other than tales of incompetence, failure and dereliction of duty across the country.
The police over the years have pursued this same 'exclusivity rascality' against the establishment of the FRSC, NSCDC and of late, against the proposed PEACE CORP. This is utter shamelessness.
Where did the FG get it wrong. There is nothing new about the WNSN other than complementary security arrangements that have been in existence over the years at neighbourhood, Local government and State levels. I am aware for a long time, many local governments in Nigeria have engaged and paid vigilante groups to beef up security in complementary capacities and under the supervision of the Nigerian Police. AMOTEKUN is just an upscale version for better performance and increased output via inter-state cooperation. Perhaps, the question every Nigerian should ask PMB and his government is, What is the Government afraid of, or does the government have anything to hide?
We are all aware that at the inception of the AMOTEKUN initiative, the IGP was consulted and was physically present at the meeting of the state Governors of western Nigeria. why did the IGP not raise alarm at that time? Waiting till the time of launch shows that certain fifth columnists in the PMB government are at work and are up to something sinister. It is a pity that Nigeria's leaders are always good at shooting down good ideas for personal and primordial gains. So shameless is it that PMB is always found to lead such unpatriotic ventures.
My take is simple, the Governors of South West should endeavour to press forward with AMOTEKUN. They should understand that the people of South West elected them to serve them and to protect their lives and property. Failure to pursue that goal will make them accountable before men and God. To the FG, PMB should also note that he was also elected to protect the same lives and properties and he was given enough time to prove himself until he failed. he failed because he was busy being sectional and nepotistic. Nigerians know and are not in doubt where PMB's interest lies. Where his interest lies is where the interest of the police and the army lies. No wonder the captured BOKOHARAM insurgents are always rehabilitated and sent back home to reintegrates into the society despite drenching their hands in blood of innocent Nigerians. No Fulani has ever been prosecuted under PMB despite their heinous crime across the length and breath of middle Belt and Southern Nigeria, what a leader?
Yes, the President and his government could go ahead and call AMOTEKUN any name. He could even ban it like he has done to other bodies, but he should also note that he will not be able, never be able, to suppress the will of people of Southern Nigeria. At best, he will only succeed In making the clock to tick faster towards self determination.

In fact, it is on record that states contribute a larger percentage of funding outside of personnel cost, to the Nigerian Police than the Federal Government.

The same states that struggle to pay salary "contribute a larger percentage of funding outside of personnel cost, to the Nigerian Police"?

Evidence please!

we are also aware that the same constitution vest exclusivity of the control of security in every state of the federation in the Executive Governor of the state.

You are aware? What did you see that made you "aware that the same constitution vest exclusivity of the control of security in every state of the federation in the Executive Governor of the state" ?

these Governors each of whom the Constitution describes as the " Chief Security Officer' in their respective states cannot give any order to a Police Commissioner, DSS State Director or Army Commander without them making a confirmation from Abuja whether to obey of not

And that did not make you say these Governors are "Chief Security Officer" you ass?

Abeg, carry these your lies comot for here, we are not all lazy unquestioning fuqs !

_*Amotekun: The Yoruba Are Too Big, Any Attempt By North To Pocket Them Will Break Nigeria.*_

_*By OBINNA EZUGWU*_

_Let me say, straight away, that the Yoruba are no push overs. They are not a people that can be subjugated. Any attempt to subjugate them that might cause them to pick up a fight, would have far-reaching consequences and could indeed, break Nigeria. Amotekun, the new security outfit formed by the Southwest governors must be handled with care. The Yoruba, having been sufficiently provoked by the recent killings, kidnappings, and even rape of women and young girls by bandits mostly identified as herdsmen, are justifiably angry. Amotekun is therefore, a response to that. For them it has become necessary, especially because there hasn't been sufficient effort by the federal government to bring the perpetrators of the acts to justice. The killing of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti was the climax of what had been weeks and months of largely ignored brigandage._

_But before then was the kidnap of a certain woman who visited home from either the United States or the United Kingdom. Her account of what happened to her and her family, especially her young daughter during their kidnap ordeal in the hands of the herdsmen was heartbreaking. It is the kind of story you hear and you begin to ask if there are still men in this place. To add insult to injury, the kidnappers, the woman had said, even abused her for being Yoruba. She had then asked, rhetorically, whether any Yoruba could try same in Sokoto. This is quite deep._

_That woman's testimony, I'm sure, had hurt feelings. The leaders of the zone, especially the governors must have felt impotent. Worse still were accounts that when such kidnaps happen, and they are reported to security agencies, they turn a blind eye. There had been rumours, too, that those apprehended by local vigilantes and handed over to the security agencies were released. I cannot say whether this is true or not. But such reports were, at some point, circulating._

_Amotekun is therefore, an effort by the leaders of the zone, especially the governors to respond to this menace. There is so much emotion invested into the outfit. It is not surprising that there has been unanimous support for it in the region and beyond. Amotekun has, and will continue to be the rallying symbol for the Southwest resistance. A traitor is he who among them, will be seen to oppose it. It is therefore important that the President Muhammadu Buhari government handles it with care._

_As often the case with issues that have the capacity to distort the existing status quo of the country, it has divided Nigerians along regional and religious lines. Various northern groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum, Arewa Youths and of course, Miyetti Allah have staunchly opposed it. The reason seem not far-fetched. Amotekun could potentially create an alternative force to the conventional force now appropriated by the region for the purpose, it would seem, of controlling the country and calling the shorts. It is not by coincidence that Buhari has since handed over control of virtually all arms bearing security agency to his geopolitical region. On the other hand, the Southern and Middle Belt groups have rallied behind the move. Again, for obvious reasons. These groups have been victims of the excesses of the militant herdsmen. And indeed, have been at the receiving end of the perceived injustices of the Buhari government._

_The country is becoming increasingly polarised along these lines. Amotekun, if not handled with care by the government, could be the tipping point. Many people cannot understand why, for instance, the administration will have no issues with Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and Hisbah police in the North, but cannot allow Amotekun. It is about control. Civilian JTF and Hisbah are in the North, controlled by the North and cannot therefore, threaten its control of the instrument of force._

_Apparently, the North is uncomfortable with any threat to the existing status quo. This is why even though it is just common sense that Nigeria should have state police, it's been opposed by mostly the region even in the face of growing banditry that has caused many communities there to become refugees in Niger Republic and elsewhere. But those in control must also know when to cede some grounds or risk everything._

_One great weakness of power is not knowing where to stop. There is always the tendency for the wielders that intoxicating instrument to want to overplay their hands, often with disastrous consequences. More so in developing climes like Africa where institutions are weak and leaders, be they presidents or prime ministers, assume the status of emperors._

_It would be overplaying of hand for the Buhari government and indeed the north to go all out against Amotekun. The truth is that a determined Southwest cannot be push overs. The Yoruba are a nation, complete in everything. They have access to the sea and direct borders with neighbouring countries. Interestingly too, there are Yoruba too across the border in Benin Republic and I believe, even Togo. They are not like the Igbo who are hemmed in by people who generally despise their guts and whose ultimate agenda in the country seems to be to keep them in check, even at their own peril._

_The Yoruba have, too, wealth -humongous wealth indeed and a large diaspora population. Added to this are strong traditional and religious institutions. They are the string that holds the country together. The country is as good as gone when that string is broken. The Igbo are, of course, largely fed up with the country. The Middle Belt is also upset about the killings in the region. Should the military or police unleash their guns on the Amotekun men and women when they eventually file out, the consequences could be far-reaching. Will the entire country turn against the Yoruba as they did with the Igbo during the Biafra war? Are you kidding?_

_*#COPIED ©*_