Amotekun: Osun PDP, APC Bicker Over Amitolu Shittu’s Appointment

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

A leading opposition party in Osun, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the appointment of Comrade Amitolu Shittu.

The party said with the appointment of the human right activist as Director General of the Southwest security outfit in Osun, Amotekun may not succeed in the state.

Recall that the state governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola had on Friday announced the appointment of Comrade Amitolu Shittu as Director General of Amotekun.

PDP in a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon Soji Adagunodo and made available to CityMirrorNews in Osogbo said that the security outfit was created to tackle growing insecurity in the South West, warning that it should not be used to “compensate some idle chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in the State at the expense of the masses.”

Advising Governor Gboyega Oyetola on the need to be fair in the selection of the Amotekun Corps, PDP said it agreed that the Governor was at liberty to find jobs for his “idle boys and party members but certainly not in exchange for security of lives and properties of residents of the State.”

But, in his reaction, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Director of Media and Publicity, Barr Kunle Oyatomi described Amitolu’s appointment as well deserved.

Oyatomi added that Governor Oyetola appointed Comrade Amitolu, after due and widespread consultation with the stakeholders.

He added that in a bid to tackle to tackle insecurity on a long-term basis, Governor Oyetola appointed Amitolu Shittu as the Director General of Amotekun, the well-received southwest security outfit.

According to PDP, “This advice is necessary in view of unauthorized appointment of political supporters of the governor and his party members without recourse to the edict that established the Amotekun outfit or the approving authority which is the State House of Assembly .

“The PDP chairman noted with concern that the Amotekun may be heading for the rocks if technical handlers of the outfit are highly partisan persons which the appointment of Mr Amitolu seems to portend and represent. The appointment according to Osun PDP, patently runs foul of the state House of Assembly legislation establishing Amotekun in the state, either in title or descriptive stipulations of persons suitable for such appointment.

“For the avoidance of doubt, members of the public should take note of these clear stipulations in the law establishing Amotekun in Osun State:

“Amotekun Agency to be headed by a Corps Commander who shall have proven knowledge and relevant experience in security matters and his appointment is subject to the confirmation of the State House of Assembly (HOA).

“Amotekun Corps Command Management Team which shall be headed by the Corps Commander, to be assisted by Deputy Corps Commander, Adminstrative Commander, Operations Commander, Investigation Commander and Field Commander.

“Amotekun Governing Board who shall be headed by a Chairman with proven integrity and experience in security matters.

“Amotekun Corps who shall be enlisted from members of the vigilante etc.

“Amotekun Corps Ambassador, who shall be either a traditional ruler among the Council of Obas or pool of prominent indigenes of Osun who shall be responsible for mass orientation, awareness, campaign and drawing community supports for the Agency.

“Independent Amotekun Corps Complaint Board to handle complaints of misconduct, human rights abuses, abuse of power etc. against the corps.

“Amotekun Administrative Complaint Panel to handle complaint against the Body generally.

“In the light of the above, the PDP argued that the appointment of a Director General announcement as well as the express directive contained in the appointment as announced by Mr governor, asking Amitolu Shittu to resume work immediately as Amotekun Director General in the state was not only self serving but alien to the Laws that established Amotekun in Osun State which he said “is null and void, ultra vire and of no legal effect whatsoever.” A part of the statement read.

APC said “The decision takes into consideration Shittu’s sterling antecedents as a chieftain of the Police Community Relations Committee, a popular body that sees to the joint policing of the society.

“Thus the governor has hardly been swayed by partisan influence, even if Amitolu, as claimed by the opposition, is a lord of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. But the point is that in exercising his powers as vested in him by the Nigerian Constitution, the governor looks for the best hand, even as he undertakes a comprehensive search and consults widely.

He needs this diligent probe because that is his core work as the holder of the sacred mandate of the people who put him in office. That is what the Constitution says in Chapter 2, Section 14, 2(b): ‘’the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’’. All else in governance and administration is secondary.

Governor Oyetola has been faithful to this solemn charge, leaving no stone unturned to rise to the occasion to honour a statutory task. It is a sacred responsibility. Shirking it is an impeachable offence. Responsible and serious leaders worldwide pursue this goal religiously.

Therefore, we must salute Oyetola for being alive to his constitutional duties. Right thinking citizens of Osun who are aware that there must be peace before other aspects of human activity, can join hands with the APC administration in the state to improve the security situation.

This isn’t the time to allow noise makers to drown our noble efforts, in building a new State of Osun.