Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi and his Oyo state counterpart, Seyi Makinde have condemned attempts to sabotage the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Amotekun’ launched in Ibadan, Thursday.
Fayemi who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum said at the launch that since the initiative was birthed there has been deliberate attempts to twist the narrative and reasons for forming the security outfit.
At the epoch-making event which was well attended by prominent Yoruba leaders including traditional rulers and politicians, a political will and unity of purpose was demonstrated to practically solve the insecurity problems across the Southwest after many months of attacks by unscrupulous elements.
Governors Seyi Makinde, Rotimi Akeredolu and Kayode Fayemi of Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti States respectively attended the event while Governors of Ogun, Lagos and Osun sent their representatives.
Calling on members of the public and the federal government not to misrepresent the motive, Fayemi said it should not be seen as an agenda to undermine the integrity of the country, instead, the initiative was to enable the governors discharge their constitutional responsibilities to the people who elected them into office.
“We have seen all sorts in social media. What has proliferated the social media is an attempt to sabotage what we are doing. We are not creating a regional police force neither are we oblivious of steps to take in order to have state police. Yes, some of us are an apologetic, inveterate advocate of state police, but we are also law-abiding citizens of Nigeria. We know the process and procedure to undergo to get to that point.
“Don’t misrepresent our motive.
“We don’t want anybody to misrepresent what we are doing here. Amotekun is going to operate in Oyo. However, we share boundaries and there may be a situation that would warrant a handshake between one or the other of our Amotekun formation.
“Most importantly, it is not an agenda to undermine the integrity of our country.
“Just as some of us are unapologetic Yoruba indigenes, we are very proud citizens of Nigeria and we will do everything to protect the integrity of our people,” Fayemi said.
Speaking at the launching of the security outfit, the host governor, Makinde of Oyo state, said traditionally, human beings are afraid of what they do not understand.
“The security of their lives and properties should be of paramount importance. When we discuss the economic potentials of our states, and talk of investment opportunities, and growing our internally generated revenue, by exploring areas of comparative advantage, we remain fully aware that we cannot achieve anything in a state of insecurity. And so, we are here.
“To those who are afraid, I say, when we assumed office, we all took the oath of office and promised to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To follow the dictates of the Constitution and protect the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“That enemy is not Nigeria, but bad elements among us who are threatening our co-existence. We shall ensure that Amotekun is in line with the security architecture of the Constitution.”
