Inside Details As ”Amotekun” Boosts Akeredolu’s Re-Election Chances

Eniola Adeniyi

The governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu is gradually getting back into a cruise with his re-election bid.

Societynow.ng’s checks revealed that this development is largely due to Akeredolu’s newfound cause.

”Akeredolu is saying what his people want to hear as regards Amotekun and this is getting him more support by the day.” societynow.ng learned.

Amotekun officially known as the Western Nigeria Security Network is the security outfit launched by the governors of the states in the southwest – Gboyega Oyetola (Osun ), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) – to protect lives and properties in the region leveraging on community policing of a sort.

The launch of Amotekun, in the face of the recurring loss of lives and properties through attacks by bandits masquerading as herdsmen, enjoyed massive support across the southwest region.

But the initiative has hit a rough patch with opposition from the Federal government.

The federal government’s opposition forced some of the southwest governors to develop cold feet and even shun the official ceremony that launched the initiative but not Akeredolu.

The Ondo Governor remains steadfast in his support for Amotekun insisting it has come to stay to the growing admiration of many.

When the Attorney-General Abubakar Malami declared Amotekun as illegal, Akeredolu refused to back down and took steps to correct erroneous claims to paint the security initiative in a bad light.

Societynow.ng gathered that these developments have boosted Akeredolu’s image in his state and speedily dispersing opposition to his re-election moves on the streets.

”Allegations of a not too good administration that has dogged Akeredolu’s second term ambition is now overshadowed with hails for his stance on Amotekun. The talks are that Akeredolu needs to be kept in place for the good work he is doing to ensure Amotekun survives subterfuge from the federal government”. societynow.ng.

Akeredolu who is the chairman of the South West Governors forum is using his position to fight hard for Amotekun in the open and behind the scene and backed by governor’s Fayemi and Makinde in the face of opposing stance from the Federal Government.

Societynow.ng gathered with the silence of political leaders in the mold of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the fact that governors loyal to him such as Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun and Gboyega Oyetola choose to be ”politically correct” by no longer publicly identifying with Amotekun – in the face of opposition from the federal government -, Akeredolu is speedily emerging the people’s hero in his state and beyond.

”And it is just natural that his second term ambition gets a big boost as talks of helping to keep him in office in the bid to protect the good work he is doing with Amotekun while the likes of Sawno-Olu, Abiodun and Oyetola balk gain ground” societynow.ng learned.

”One of the major points of those that opposed the re-election bid of Akeredolu, in and out of his party (All Progressives Congress), is that he is not popular with the people and his growing acceptance with his stance on Amotekun is taking care of that” a source asserted.