The Geopolitics of Operation ‘Amotekun’

Cheta Nwanze/

A lot was made about the failure of the governors of Lagos, Ogun and Osun to attend the launch of Operation Amotekun. Yes, there is something to be read into it from my point of view, but there are two aspects to the Amotekun story – the geopolitical, and the politicking.

The geopolitical – Amotekun is a practical example of the kind of national restructuring that many Nigerians have been clamouring for. 

As the failure of Abuja becomes clearer, the sub-national units will slowly eat away at this fake federalism that Nigeria is practising.

Can you name one problem that the Government of Nigeria has truly solved since it first seized power with Aguiyi-Ironsi’s Decree 34 of 1966? 

Can you name one problem the FG has solved since Decree 51 of 1969 gave the FG control of all of the crude oil found within Nigeria’s borders?

Given the ineffectual nature of our central government it is inevitable that security self-help schemes like Amotekun will arise.

The politicking – now that Aso Rock, through Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army have shown that they don’t like the idea of Amotekun, it’s not surprising that the three Governors closest to the Villa have turned their back on it.

Makinde is PDP, he has nothing to lose. Fayemi does not have to dance around as he has no other term coming, and Akeredolu is having a godfather ish almost similar to, but not yet as open as the thing in Edo state.

But these internal dynamics will make no difference in the long run, and eventually, other states/regions will follow the example of the South-West, and force the conversation we have been avoiding for so long: restructure or splinter.

*Nwanze, Head of Research at SBM Intelligence, shared this article on Twitter via @Chxta.