The governors of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, and Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola were absent from the launch of South-West security outfit, Operation Amotekun.

On Thursday, January 9, when Operation Amotekun was launched, dignitaries at the event wondered why the three state governors were absent despite the joint agreement by the South West state governors.

Ondo State’s Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was quick to explain why the Lagos and Ogun state governors failed to show up at the event.

He said, “I must convey the apologies of two of our governors, his excellencies, governors Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun. They wanted to be here but the problem is associated with bad weather. That is one of the problems that are associated with governing rich states. Those of us from poor states used an alternative, like arriving in Ibadan since yesterday,” Akeredolu said.

According to a report by Punch, Abiodun and Oyetola were represented by their deputies while Sanwo-Olu was not represented on the occasion.

Also absent was the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, whose presence would have been tagged as the support of the police force. The Police boss was not present neither was he represented by any of his subordinates.

While Akeredolu and Fayemi maintained that the creation of Operation Amotekun is not a ploy to kick off state policing in the southwest states, elements within the Presidency and the police high command, are not favourably disposed to the regional outfit because they consider it as part of restructuring agenda.

The Punch also reports that ‘the body language’ of the Federal Government had created a division among the governors, with some of them developing cold feet.