Akeredolu’s advocacy continues to shape state police debate – Aiyedatiwa

Ondo State Governor Dapo Aiyedatiwa has affirmed that the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu's aspiration for state police in Nigeria will ultimately become a reality. Aiyedatiwa made these remarks at a commemorative event held in Ibadan to mark Akeredolu's 70th posthumous birthday. The governor, who referred to Akeredolu as "My Oga," emphasized that his former governor's advocacy for true federalism and a decentralized security system continues to influence national discussions on security matters.

Akeredolu's commitment to finding practical solutions to Nigeria's security challenges was evident in the establishment of the Amotekun Corps by governors in the South-West, according to Aiyedatiwa. The Ondo governor noted that recent security operations involving the Amotekun Corps and other agencies in Ondo State forests highlighted the significance of local intelligence and community involvement in addressing insecurity.

He also pointed out that the Tinubu administration's support for the State Police debate as part of broader reforms underscored the government's commitment to addressing the issue. However, Aiyedatiwa stressed that any State Police framework must include measures that would ensure professionalism, accountability, and public trust.

He believed that honoring Akeredolu’s legacy would involve building a more federal, just, and responsive Nigeria, rather than just focusing on ceremonies and monuments. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police, echoed Aiyedatiwa's sentiments, advocating for the need to increase the country's police force to bridge the gap between current policing capacity and the UN-recommended police-to-citizen ratio.