Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has stated that he has proved those who claimed that he was putting his second term ambition on the line wrong, when the Amotekun Corps was launched in Ibadan in January this year.
Akeredolu spoke at the Passing-Out Ceremony of the pioneer Amotekun Corps Officers in the state, held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, the state capital.
The governor said he told the people who faulted his decision that his ambition was not worth the insecurity the people are confronted with.
He noted that it got to a point where people became afraid of travelling out of the State.
According to him, “It was so horrible that marauders laid siege at the highways, as well as in the farmlands, waiting to kidnap or devour anyone in sight.
“With the launch of Amotekun, we resolved that it shall be no retreat, no surrender. We are not going to be intimidated or blackmailed,” Akeredolu said.
Governor Akeredolu, who expressed his readiness to champion the course of a better, safer and prosperous society and country, said he was determined not to pay lip services to the constitutional role of government, which is to seek the welfare and protection of the lives and property of the people.
He also reassured people of the state, that the forthcoming election in the State would be very peaceful, adding that the state will not tolerate any form of thuggery or criminality occasioned by elections.
Traditional rulers including the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinrutan; Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi as well as the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye and other prominent monarchs attended the event.
The Commander of the state Corps, Chief Ade Adeleye said the personnel were trained in collaboration with experienced hands drawn from various security agencies in the state.
Adeleye reiterated the corps resolve on zero tolerance for crime through robust intelligence sharing with security agencies to reduce the spate of criminality in the state.
Heads of security agencies in the State as well as religious leaders and other stakeholders also graced the event.
