Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared that the dream of the late former governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for the establishment of state police will eventually become a reality. Aiyedatiwa made this statement at a colloquium in Ibadan, marking Akeredolu's 70th posthumous birthday. The colloquium's theme was "Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria."
Aiyedatiwa described Akeredolu as a courageous and selfless public servant whose ideas continue to influence national conversations on security, federalism, and good governance. He recalled Akeredolu's service as Attorney-General of Ondo State, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Governor of Ondo State, Chairman of the South-West Governors' Forum, and Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum. Aiyedatiwa noted that Akeredolu's legacy should be measured not only by the offices he occupied but by the courage with which he pursued critical issues.
Aiyedatiwa highlighted Akeredolu's persistent advocacy for a decentralized security architecture, which had moved beyond regional agitation to become a major issue in Nigeria's national policy and constitutional discourse. He recalled that when insecurity became a major threat to lives and livelihoods, Akeredolu and other South-West governors established the South-West Security Network, Amotekun Corps. This initiative demonstrated the principle that communities closest to security challenges should have a meaningful role in protecting themselves.
The governor cited the recent involvement of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps in operations against suspected ISWAP terrorists in the state's forests, which demonstrated the importance of local intelligence in tackling insecurity. He said this development had strengthened the argument for a security system built around local knowledge, intelligence, and community participation. Aiyedatiwa noted that the experience had elevated the Amotekun initiative beyond a regional security arrangement to an important component of the national debate on state police.
Aiyedatiwa mentioned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to moving the idea of state police from debate to institutional reform. However, he stressed that the creation of state police must be accompanied by measures to make it professional, accountable, and worthy of public confidence. He listed credible recruitment, proper vetting, professionalism, and accountability as conditions that must underpin the proposed system.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors' Forum Committee on State Police, said Nigeria needed an additional 554,353 police personnel to meet the United Nations-recommended police-to-citizen ratio. Abiodun called for comprehensive reforms to ensure that state police, when established, are effective, sustainable, and accountable. He noted that Akeredolu's vision extended beyond security hardware, understanding the relationship between security and economic development.
Other speakers at the colloquium, including former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised Akeredolu's leadership and advocacy for state police. They urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from Akeredolu's convictions and leadership example.
Key points
- Aiyedatiwa says Akeredolu's dream of state police will become a reality.
- President Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to the cause.
- Nigeria needs an additional 554,353 police personnel to meet the UN-recommended ratio.
