South West: Govs key into Security Agenda as sacked Council Chairmen seek Amosun’s probe

The South West  Governor of Nigeria have met and agreed to reorganize the  resolution Security architecture in their various states to address the security challenges facing their region.

The governors unanimously agreed to take immediate actions by keying into areas recommended by the technical report of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria with a promise that the security architecture of the region would be changed from what it currently is.

 The Chairman, South West Governors Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu made this known  to journalists after  a closed door meeting held at the Ondo State Governors office in  Akure. He stated  that they would leave no stone unturned at ensuring that the security architecture of the region is redesigned to make the region a no go area for criminals.

Akeredolu also urged the people of the region to be calm and be patient with governors of the region, promising that they would take bold steps to stem the tide of insecurity and deal ruthlessly with anyone within the South Western space caught perpetrating any form of criminal acts.

“We want the people that are concerned to wake up. There  is no way we can be here and discuss security and they won’t do anything, they will take steps and we are assuring our people that we are prepared and we will deal ruthlessly with anybody who is here within our space to commit any criminal act, “

He added that It should be recalled that at the end of a three day Security Summit organized by the  Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN)in Ibadan, a technical team was set up to look into the issues of insecurity  

After the burial service of Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s  daughter, Mrs. Olufunke Olakunri, held at the Saint Davids Anglican Church, Akure, Akeredolu stated  that they would get to the root of the evil act that claimed the life of Mrs. Olakunri and others, noting that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

He also noted that they are in support of the position of the Kano State Governor’s stand to  bring an end to nomadism, adding that the practice should not be encouraged at this point in time.

” All of us here, we are in support of the position of the governor of Kano State who  made it clear over and over that we should ban nomadism, he said that the time has come to ban nomadism, that is a profound statement from a Fulani man who felt convinced that these thing should stop. Nomadism is not something we can encourage at this age and time, so we rise and we will continue to support the position of Governor Ganduje,” he added.

Meanwhile, Local Government Chairmen in Ogun State who were suspended from office by former governor Ibikunle Amosun have  asked the anti-graft agency to probe the immediate past administration over Councils’ inability to execute projects as a result of non release of funds.

The local government chairmen were suspended by the 8th Assembly under the leadership of Rt.Hon Suraj Adekunle.

The aggrieved Chairmen led by Hon Semiu Bola Lawal of Odeda Local government who doubles as chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria,  (ALGON),claimed that the past administration ridiculed their powers for 32 months.

Semiu, in a statement alleged that, “The whole 20 LG and 37 LCDA in Ogun state collected a sum of #14million each in 7 staggered installments spread over 31months.Council Chairmen collected a sum of #229,000 each as monthly salary without lawful allowances as provided for under the law. Only 10 months Security allowance of #500,000 were received by the chairmen without official cars.” He added.

He also alleged that they were treated as mere appendage to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Mere circular overrides provision of the constitution and extant laws. All Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of councils were taken over by ministries and parastatals at the behest of the past Governor who governed the state with fiat and impunity.

For 32 months out of their 36 months, members who were bold to point out these anomalies were threatened, harassed, assaulted and in the extreme, impeachment orchestrated. 

Therefore, the suspended chairmen use the opportunity to call on the present government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, to look into their suspension with a view of their resumption back to office to complete their tenure.