Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has berated the Federal Government for approving arms for Katsina state-owned security outfit and denying the South-West Security Network, Amotekun Corps, the right to carry assault rifles.
The governor was reacting to a video showing the Katsina security outfit obtaining the federal government’s approval to bear arms despite denying Amotekun the same right to carry arms.
A statement personally signed by Akeredolu, entitled: “We Believe In One Nigeria, But We Cannot Have One Country, Two Systems,” condemned the double standard being enforced by the Federal Government among state-owned security agencies.
He said that denying Amotekun the right to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which we have been clamoring for.
Akeredolu declared that Ondo State will procure arms for Amotekun to protect the life and property of the people of the state, stressing that the country cannot have two systems.
The statement reads, “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.
“The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) in Katsina, obtaining the approval of the Federal Government to bear arms is fraught with great dangers.
“Denying Amotekun the urgently needed rights to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which we have been clamoring for.
“That Katsina was able to arm its state security force with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing one country, two systems. 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 South West to life-threatening marauders and organized crime. It is also a deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat.
“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.”
