Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s contributions to the discussion on the Southwest Security Initiative code named Amotekun has succeeded in raising the standard of discussions. A welcome shift from offensive statements such as credited to the Miyetti Allah National Secretary.

Securing life and properties of citizens should not be left at the level of some overzealous ‘Herdsmen’ coming on National television to desecrate issue of National important.

Just as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his statement categorized issues surrounding Amotekun establishment into three major parts, I wish to xray his views as follows: 1) political correctness 2) his view as national leader of APC 3) interest of the yoruba race.

The timing and content of Asiwaju’s statement cant be more correct, demonstrating again his political sagacity. His ability to read with accuracy the Nigerian political times and seasons cannot be over emphasized. Content also satisfies those waiting to satisfy their political curiosity.

Despite his passive expression of displeasure that he was not carried along by southwest governors in putting the plans together, he managed to take the shine. Is it just coincidental that the issues seem resolved few days after his statement?

Those insinuating that he begged the issues may have misunderstood his role.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated in clear terms in his statement that he is the National leader of the APC. Almost all frontline actors in the Amotekun controversy are his political party members, as their national leader, he mustn’t be seen to have taken a stand with one against the other.

You may have missed the import of Asiwaju’s statement if you read him as a Yoruba leader who should be seen defending the interest of his subjects. Yes, he is the political pride of the yoruba race but in writing his statement, he chose to speak as the national leader of the APC saddled with the responsibility of keeping his party together. This I believe is within his right and was effectively communicated

My disagreements:

I disagree with Asiwaju’s insinuation that the southwest Governors should have consulted the Federal Attorney-General by right before flagging off Amotekun. This sounds to me like blaming the Governors for not consulting the Chief Judge of the Federation or the Minister for Internal affairs before the flag off.

According to Asiwaju’s statement “The governors state that they consulted regularly with the police and security agencies. This was the right thing to do.
However, their failure to include the office of the Attorney-General in these discussions is the fount of the current public uproar. This was an unfortunate omission the governors should regret and seek to remedy”.

I note that section 174 of the constitution which clearly states the powers of the Attorney-general of the federation did not include security matters. In fact, sub section 3 states that “In exercising his powers under this section, the Attorney-General of the Federation shall have regard to the public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process.” Securing of life and properties is of public interest.

How will the colour of vehicles provided for this security initiative or having a central regional command to ensure effective control and communication with established security architecture offend any known law of the land?

We should be careful not to fall into the error of satisfying emotions and egos of individuals or a group of people thereby setting bad precedence. Politicians should take note that when crime and social violence start to disrupt social order, democratic political order may too easily become the next victim. 

Conclusion

I believe that Amotekun is a good response to failing public order policing and the right step towards citizens centred security focus.

When citizens feel secure and the rule of law is respected, communities are able to prosper. Individuals start businesses, plan for the future and create thriving families, institutions and states. However, for communities threatened by epidemic levels of violence, extremism and transnational crime as seen in Nigeria lately, instability hinders growth and development.

Broadly speaking, the term citizen security encompasses a movement away from security debates whose primary concern was threats to the state or regime toward a concern with threats to public, social and political order posed by rising common crime and public fear of crime.

Across Nigeria, fear of crime and perceptions of increasing social disorder are widespread. Anxiety about personal safety is crossing boundaries, class and ideology. Failure of the state’s public order and criminal justice institutions to respond adequately and provide basic security needs is glaringly apparent.

Obviously, strict public order policing has failed to address the rising insecurity in our Nation, hence the need to take a critical look at reengineering our security architecture to be more citizens centric.

‘Tosin Jegede is an IT expert who writes from Akure, Ondo State.
t_jegede@yahoo.com
07035209557