Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has attributed the deaths of 115 Nigerians in recent food stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra States to negligence by the Nigerian Police Force.
Falana made this assertion in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during a public lecture organized by the Ondo State government in honor of the late former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The lecture, titled “Security Sector Reform in Promoting Peace, Stability, and Development: The Ondo State Example,” marked the first in a series.
Falana criticized the police for failing to fulfill their constitutional duties, which he said contributed to the tragic incidents. He stressed that without effective social security measures, ensuring the physical security of lives and property remains unattainable.
He also praised the late Akeredolu’s commitment to justice and his efforts to safeguard lives and property, highlighting the establishment of Amotekun as a significant achievement that positioned Ondo State as a model for security management in Nigeria.
“Today, all 36 state governors have come together to approve state police, but it was Akeredolu who laid the groundwork by enacting the law that legitimized Amotekun. That singular action has made Ondo State the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” he said.
Falana highlighted the importance of preserving Akeredolu’s legacy, noting that the greatest tribute to Akeredolu is the sustainability of his legacy.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa while speaking extolled the virtues of his former boss, noting that his achievements in the areas of security, infrastructure, education, and health are numerous and enduring.
His words: “His administration’s achievements remain profound—roads, bridges, health centres, and education reforms that continue to inspire us. Akeredolu’s legacy of progress is evident everywhere, and his passion for the security of lives and property has made Ondo State one of the safest and most peaceful in Nigeria,”
Aiyedatiwa, who served as deputy governor during Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s second term, described the late governor as a courageous leader who spoke truth to power and championed the causes of democracy and the Rule of Law.
He pledged to uphold Akeredolu’s vision of development and good governance in his administration.
In his welcome address, Afenifere chieftain and chairman of the occasion, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, lauded Akeredolu for his bold leadership in prioritizing security and development in Ondo State. He also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for continuing the Amotekun initiative, urging sustained efforts to deepen Akeredolu’s legacy.
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu served as governor of Ondo State from February 2017 until his passing on December 26, 2023, at a German hospital after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. He was 67 years old.