Community Policing: Akeredolu Kicks Against States Funding, Says Idea Won’t Work

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has kicked against the idea of states funding community policing in the country.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Akeredolu said the idea would not work.

He disclosed that his colleagues under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum will table the matter before President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention.

“The burden of states will keep increasing. We will be the one that will fund community police. Where is the money going to come from.

“Except we devolve more money to the states, how will the states fund community police? I don’t think it is going to work,” he said.

“I am sure that they are taking this thing too far (that) governors will have to pay. We have argued this. They started by saying it will be voluntary, they are not going to pay.

“They now shift the burden on the state governors again. Are you increasing their allocation? Which state governor will accept that?

“I don’t know if other states will pay but we will not pay. Let us be fair to ourselves, we are running a federal system. We will sit down and discuss this because we have a President that has a listening ear.”

Reacting to his relationship with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, the governor said it is cordial.

He however maintained that the issue between him the Deputy Governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi is out of ambition, stressing that Ajayi’s decided to exit the ruling APC to “where he belongs.”

Governor Akeredolu optimistic of victory in the October 10 governorship election in the state.

His remarks come two weeks after he inaugurated the pioneer officers of Ondo State Security network Agency Amotekun Corps.

While inaugurating the corps in Akure, the state capital expressed delight with the performance of the pioneer Amotekun Corps officers who just completed their training.

He urged them to put into good use all they were taught during training to ensure the security of life and property in the state.

While soliciting for more funding from the Federal Government to equip the police, governor Akeredolu said that the Amotekun Corps is designed to support the existing security framework in the state.