Amotekun: Akeredolu gives details on FG, Southwest govs meeting

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has given details of the meeting between Southwest governors and the Federal Government on Operation Amotekun.

According to him, the governors who met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo agreed on a legal framework to support the establishment of the security outfit.

Akeredolu who addressed newsmen after the meeting said:

“We held a very fruitful discussion, the governors of the South-West were there. The meeting was presided over by the Vice President, the AGF was there and the Inspector General of Police.

“We have rubbed minds and all of us have agreed on the way forward. The most important thing is that we are going to have the legal framework to back this Amotekun. And this legal framework is going to be one in which all of us will look at and we will be sure that it goes without any hindrance.”

On if the agreement means the establishment will be put on hold, Akeredolu said “No. What I believe about our resolution is that Amotekan is there, you know the Federal Government is starting community policing. In essence really, it is about community. So, we are going to work together to see the community policing and Amotekan work in a way.”

He also revealed that consultations were made before Amotekun was established.

"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 was better for us to sit down. Remember that immediately the noise started, I said that we were going to explore political solutions and all of us are here, my colleague, the deputy governor of Oyo State who is of the PDP, all of us are here. So, we have looked at both political and legal solutions to it and all of us will do it,” he said.