The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, has slammed former Governor of Old Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, for claiming that Amotekun was launched as a prelude to declaration of Oduduwa Republic.
Recall that Akeredolu and other governors in the South-West geopolitical zone launched Amotekun, the Western Nigeria Security Network, on January 9 in Ibadan, Oyo State to combat kidnapping and banditry in the zone.
Since its launch, the security outfit has generated controversy across the country.
Musa, who weighed in on the matter, had said, “First of all, taking into account what happened in the history of Nigeria, this Amotekun will lead to a declaration of Oduduwa Republic.
“Look at the composition of those who constitute the organisation in addition to the six state governors.
“There is also the OPC, Afenifere, and others. So the fear is quite obvious.”
But Akeredolu, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, said that Musa’s views were borne out of ignorance and “unnecessary”.
The Ondo governor said, “Balarabe Musa spoke out of ignorance. That is the way I see it because he is a respected leader. We all have respect for him and from his days in NEPU and PRP, till when he was impeached as governor, he was a progressive person, and he is still a progressive person. I am sure maybe he was misquoted. For me, such views from him were unnecessary.
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“It is not possible. In my speech at the launch of Amotekun, I was very clear that this is not a regional army or regional paramilitary and that it is collaborative and that all we want to do is to ensure that our forests and other places, we have men who can go in to arrest these bandits and help the Police in their work.
“I remember I said something there that this nation has come to stay, if only for one reason, for my sake it must stay. So, my wife, that is Ibo, if they want to break this country, where would my children go? My wife is Igbo, so where would my own children go? I believe in this country totally.
“However, we are committed to restructuring this country. We are not going to say because of Amotekun, we should not restructure; this country must be restructured. We have said so openly, it is there in the All Progressives Congress (APC) constitution and part of our manifesto. Restructuring was stated clearly that we would do it.
“Why we have not done it, nobody knows, but we have to. But there have been some efforts to restructure. We can give it to the President, at least, let him take the credit, there have been some efforts at restructuring in one way or the other. So, restructuring is not something we can compromise.
“That is the only way for this country. We can’t continue this way. The country is hydra-headed and everybody must feel a sense of belonging and the only way is for us to carry out this restructuring.”