Lawmakers under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-West caucus in the House of Representatives, have thrown their weights behind the fight against criminality in the South-West embarked upon by Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
The lawmakers commended Governor Akeredolu over his pronouncement and efforts to flush criminals out of the Southwest zone.
Representing the 72 members of the caucus, Hon. Femi Fakeye (Osun), Enitan Dolapo-Badru (Lagos) and Mayowa Akinfolarin (Ondo) maintained that the cultural differences of the various ethnicities in the country must be respected, stressing that criminality has no ethnicity.
The lawmakers also hailed the giant strides recorded by the Governor in the state, stressing that his performance was responsible for his resounding victory in the October 10, 2020 poll.
"Because of the stride you have achieved in your first term, the people of Ondo State has returned you for a second term. You have performed and still performing.
"Let us first commend your efforts in Ore. The ore flyover. That speaks for itself. It's one of the reasons you are returned. Again, the ore industrial hub, there is no country that can make it without an industrialized economy.
Responding, Governor Akeredolu said the protection of lives and property of the people must take priority, adding that it was a duty he was elected to perform.
The Governor said it was part of the move to secure Ondo state and Southwest in general that led to the creation of Amotekun Corps.
He said:"The most important thing you have said is that we have to think about our people first and in doing that, we had to make a declaration.
"We felt convinced that we can not have a situation where a first Oba is killed, a deputy VC killed, kidnapped the chief of staff's wife and we feel the people elected us to protect their lives and property. It's one of the things that led us to create Amotekun.
"When we came up with Amotekun, people were scared they thought it was state police, but we stood our ground and Amotekun has come to stay.
"You have a duty to us, to our people and that has to do with the issue of state police. The time is now. This rampant security challenge is virtually everywhere. This issue of state police, we need to pursue it.
"If we have the state police, we may not need Amotekun. It will be a great fight for our people. We must stand together. I commend the Governor of Kano State who said cows should not he moved to the south again for grazing."
The deputy Governor -elect, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, acting chairman of the APC , Engr. Ade Adetimehin,Principal officers of the house of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun and other members of the state executive council joined the Governor to receive the House of Representatives members.
Olabode Richard Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
February 2, 2021.
