“Amotekun May Die Prematurely With Shittu’s Appointment” – Osun PDP

The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has faulted the announcement of an “Osun Apc chieftain”, Comrade Amitolu Shittu as Director General of Amotekun in the state, adding that the security outfit may not succeed in the state.

The party also explained that the security outfit was created to tackle growing insecurity in the South West and should not be used to ‘compensate some idle chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in the State at the expense of the masses.

A release on Tuesday by its State Chairman, Mr. Olasoji Adagunodo on Tuesday  the PDP 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.’

“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:

1. 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).

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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.

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

7. 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.