Gov Akeredolu kicks as FG grants Katsina security outfit approval to bear AK-47 but denies same for Amotekun corps
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has kicked against the Federal government’s recent granting of an arms-bearing licence to Katsina State corps while refusing to approve same for the Southwest security outfit codenamed Amotekun.
The governor said in a statement that he had seen a video showing the Katsina security operatives bearing AK-47 guns and that such an action by the Federal Government was fraught with great dangers, adding that if the Katsina State security force could be empowered with sophisticated arms including AK-47s, there was no reason to deny Amotekun the similar opportunity.
The governor maintained that denying Amotekun the urgently needed right to legitimately bear arms was a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which Nigerians have been clamouring for.
“That Katsina was able to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing one country, two systems solution to the national question.
If the katsina situation conferring advantages on some, in the face of commonly faced existential threats, it means that our unitary policing system, which has failed, is a deliberate method of subjugation which must be challenged.
The Independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a federal state and devolved internal security mechanics. We must go back to that agreement. Denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the Southwest to life-threatening marauders and organized crime. It is also a deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat.
We want to reiterate, that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. Ondo State government under the doctrine of necessity have decided to fulfil its legal, constitutional and moral duty to the citizens of the State, by acquiring arms to protect them. This is more so, given that the bandits have an unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The State government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorized and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people
