Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo, has criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria, claiming that the nation cannot have two systems.
Akeredolu responded to the footage showing the Katsina security unit receiving permission to bear arms in a statement on Thursday, September 22.
The governor said that in response to recent terrorist assaults, the government had refused to allow the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) to use assault guns.
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According to Akeredolu, denying Amotekun the right to lawfully bear arms is a rejection of the principles of true federalism, for which we have long called.
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 governor said Nigeria’s 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.
He added that denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the Southwest to life-threatening marauders and organized crime.
It is also 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 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.
