It’s time to choose between restructured Nigeria, Yoruba presidency

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

As the politics of 2023 continues to gather traction even in the face of the present security challenges in the country, Governor Seyi Makinde has posited that what should be paramount now is how to restructure Nigeria.and secure its people not who produces the next president.

Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo state said its a matter of time for every thing to come bare before Nigerians, to know which is more suited for them either who becomes president of Nigeria, or to restructure the country for every part of the country to be secured and have a sense of belonging.

The governor, who stated these at the House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, while presenting 33 operational vehicles and 396 motorbikes to the state Security Network Agency, codenamed Operation Amotekun restated that though the outfit came into operation a while ago, the state has begun to feel its impact.

The governor in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, expressed optimism that the corps will play a major role in filling the lacuna in the security architecture of the state.

He promised that the state will make the welfare of the Amotekun Corps a top priority, stating that even if the call for state police doesn’t materialize now, it will come to pass.

He said its only a matter of time to tell which one is more desirable for Nigerians; between a restructured Nigeria and a Yoruba presidency.

Makinde stated, “You are a generation establishing structures for safety and security of the next generation. You are pioneers to ensure that we have a safe and secure environment so that we can expand our economy. And we will treat your welfare as top priority.”

Not long ago, the governor had equally handed over 25 vehicles to the Nigeria Police and Operation Burst in the state to improve the security architecture ahead of the yuletide.

He went on to say: “That is why we have been clamoring for state police because you know for a fact that you all belong to the state. We don’t have it right now, but we thank the Oyo State House of Assembly for making the law establishing Amotekun.

“If we cannot get state police now, this country will get there, I am sure. We have community policing, but we need to do better than that. But, in the absence of the state police, we have our own Amotekun Corps and the operatives are doing very well.

“I’ll like to say to the Amotekun Corps that I am really proud of you. When we came into government on May 29, 2019, there was no Amotekun Corps but, today, your impact is being felt by all of us.”

Further on restructuring, the governor said it has become more imperative in the face of daunting security challenges.

“I have heard some of our political leaders jostling around and saying they want to become the president of Nigeria in 2023. I think what we need at this stage is to secure our people and restructure Nigeria. It does not matter who is the president in Abuja. In a restructured Nigeria, every corner of the country will feel the impact of government. That is what we need.

“May God protect those running around for presidency till 2022. By that time, we will meet and, by then, we will get to know whether it is restructured Nigeria or Yoruba presidency that we really need.”

The governor appreciated chairpersons of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas for releasing the funds to do things that are meaningful to the people of the state, noting that all the 351 wards in the state will feel the impact of Amotekun and that every inch of land belonging to the state will be covered by Amotekun.

He warned criminal elements operating in the state to desist from their irascible practices or get caught by the long arm of the law.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of Amotekun in the state, General Kunle Togun, described Governor Makinde as the number one Amotekun in Western Nigeria, noting that in order to show that there won’t be a fire brigade approach to security, the governor has equipped Amotekun effectively.

Similarly, the Commandant of the Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), appreciated the governor’s gesture, describing it as a defining moment in the life of the Oyo State Security Network Agency.

He added that the vehicles will enable the Corps to discharge their duties effectively and provide them with the required mobility to respond swiftly to the distressed situations and facilitate access to the nooks and crannies of the state at this critical time.

He promised that the Corps will put in their best efforts “to stem the tide of rising security challenges, particularly during this festive period and put to shame those working to discredit the administration.”