Speakers of the six Houses of Assembly that makes up the Southwest states have agreed to begin the process of enacting relevant legislation to support the implementation of the Western Nigeria Security Network code named “Operation Amotekun.”
The assurance came from the Chairman, Southwest Conference of Speakers of States Legislatures, Honourable Oleyelogun Bamidele while speaking in Ibadan, during a summit for Speakers in the region
The summit was themed, “The Imperative of Western Nigeria Security Network (Operation Amotekun): Legislative support for the Initiative”.
In his opening address at the summit, Oleyelogun said the Southwest Assemblies were bound to give legal support to an outfit like Amotekun which was set up to address worsening security situation in the zone.
Reiterating that, “Amotekun has come to stay”, Oleyelogun said the Speakers supported the initiative because it was only aimed at complementing the activities of regular security agencies and building confidence of residents within the zone, adding that “Amotekun abinitio received the blessing of the federal government; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; and royal fathers hence will be allowed to fly.”
Speaking along the same line, Lagos Speaker, Honourable Mudasiru Obasa said the legislative backing will come in form of presentation of a bill and go through the various stages of reading, inclusive of public hearing, before it is passed into law.
Obasa said, “The legal backing will go through the normal procedure of legislations. We’ll have a bill, it is processed through first reading, second reading, public hearing, third reading, passage, governor’s assent and it becomes law.
“We all agree as Speakers that Amotekun has come to stay. Amotekun is in existence and we wish Amotekun long life.”
The host Speaker, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin also pledged unwavering support of the state legislature for Amotekun, noting that the outfit will strengthen the resolve of governors to ensure security in the region.
Other Speakers of the region in attendance were Honourable Funminiyi Afuye (Ekiti); Honourable Timothy Owoeye (Osun); Honourable Taiwo Oluomo (Ogun).
The speakers also at the summit made case for the total implementation of financial autonomy of state legislatures.