Given the pervasive insecurity situation in Nigeria, the successful launching of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) popularly known as “Operation Amotekun”, seems to be received with a sense of hope and relief by the people of South-West Nigeria and beyond. A friend described it as most courageous, most needed and most commendable! It is a very clear demonstration of the weakness and inadequacy of our structure of governance and national internal security system. While the assertions of my friend are undeniably factual, the revelations and implications of Operation Amotekun are deep and central to the crises of underdevelopment and legitimation we are faced with as a nation. With Operation Amotekun, the imperativeness for a restructured Nigeria becomes most cogent. It seems that we are inadvertently returning to the good old days, another senior friend in his 80s elatedly stated.
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Interestingly, why the people of South West are generally happy with the scheme, reactions from other parts of the country are mixed. While some perceive it as the military wing of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), others are in support as it will be a reference point for the potential formation of other regional security outfits. According to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the federal government is reviewing the development and will soon make its position known. Clarifying further, he maintained that “it is about analysing the scope of functions of Amotekun within the constitutional spirit of exclusive legislative list or otherwise”. While some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have expressly vouched their support for the scheme, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in its usual muted reaction has implored the Southwest governors and other promoters of Amotekun to make public the operational guidelines of the scheme. This will help in the proper review and constitutional clarification of Amotekun, the NBA maintains.
Before I return to the Attorney General’s reaction and NBA’s counsel, it is important to appreciate that those who oppose the scheme have valid reasons. First if not properly handled, it might lead to the proliferation of other regional security outfits. Second, as officers and agents being recruited into Amotekun are predominantly from South West, the concerns that non-South West indigenes might be intentionally or unintentionally targeted, exploited and persecuted cannot be ignored. This is particularly valid given the deep mistrust and divisions that characterize an improperly integrated plural society like Nigeria.
As we await the position of the federal government, it is important that we all appreciate that a reactive approach to governance is neither good nor sustainable. Governance should be proactive and inclusive to be effective and impactful. It is difficult to understand how the Federal government is claiming to be studying a scheme with immense national security implications such as Amotekun when it was initiated, planned, funded and launched by six governors that are very high ranking members of the government, Chief security officers of their states and members of key decision-making committees of the government such as National Council of States. With the absence of heads of relevant security agencies such as Police, Department of State Security and Army during the launch of Amotekun, there are rumours that there is lack of agreement at the highest levels of government. Irrespective of how it is perceived, the undisputable fact emerging from recent developments such as Amotekun is that a serious discussion on the cogent need to rethink our governance structure is most imperative. Denying it is like postponing the judgement days that are manifesting through schemes like Amotekun!
In my previous articles, I implored the APC led federal government to appreciate the mood of the nation cautioning that the time to restructure Nigeria has come and that it will be done irrespective of how willing or unwilling the Federal government is. With the evident joy and elatedness across South West, I see in Amotekun emerging repentance particularly on the part of APC South-West governors to appreciate and act on the yearnings of the populace which in this case is the demand for restructuring. As a suggestion to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice stated, Amotekun is not the only issue to be addressed when reviewing the exclusive legislative list. There are many more. With our plurality, complexity and increasing population, the exclusive list needs to be carefully reviewed with many items moved to the concurrent list to create a functional, devolved and productive economy. Not only will it unleash the innovative capabilities of every part of the country, the focus will shift from the current competition for power to compete for development.
As security of lives and property is central to any meaningful and sustainable economic development, the launching of Amotekun reveals that the development and growth of South West region cannot be effectively guaranteed with the federal government led and controlled security system. With Amotekun, the people of South West are saying that there is a need for their higher involvement and ownership in the security of South West for it to be effective. By implication, the norms and values (culture) of the people is an important element in formulating and executing development policies of societies. As these norms and values (culture) relate to the informal and formal laws of the society, it is expected that professional associations like Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) should be more impactful in their roles and contributions to a better society. Given that the NBA is the foremost professional association of lawyers in Nigeria, her stand in this kind of very important issue should not be ambivalent. It should be clear and firm as many Nigerians rely on her views for guidance and direction.
The issue with Amotekun is not really about the letter of the law or its place within the constitution of Nigeria but on its functional importance and contribution to a better and secured South West Nigeria. If it is functionally relevant but somewhat constitutionally inappropriate, the question should be what constitutional or legal reforms are required to make it constitutionally acceptable and enhance its functional relevance. These are responsibilities that professional associations like NBA should significantly advocate and lead.
Dr Ngwu is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy, Finance and Risk Management, Lagos Business School and a Member, Expert Network, World Economic Forum.
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