The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has exposed the President Muhammadu Buhari Federal Government for showing favour to the Northern States and leaving out the Southern States,
He said that the country cannot have two systems.
In a statement on Thursday, Governor Akeredolu reacted to a video showing the Katsina State Security outfit obtaining the approval to bear arms.
The Governor stated that this followed the government’s denial of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun Corps, to carry assault rifles, despite the incessant terror attacks by Fulani bandits.
Governor Akeredolu noted that denying Amotekun the rights to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of True Federalism, which we have been clamoring for.
His words: “That Katsina was able to arm its State Security Force with the display of AK-47, 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 Governor stated that Nigeria’s independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a Federal State and devolved internal security mechanics, adding that, we must go back to that agreement.
He noted that denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the South-West to life-threatening marauders and organised crime.
He said: “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.”
The statement announced that the Ondo State Government under the doctrine of necessity, “has 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 terrorised and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people.”
