Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Monday said ‘Operation Amotekun’ was launched to secure the South West Zone and not a ploy to secede from Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fayemi gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti when he hosted a pan-Youruba group, Oodua Progressive Union Worldwide, led by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, said nobody should entertain any fear of secession over the launch of Amotekun, the security initiative of the region.
According to him, governors in the region decided to establish Amotekun to tackle criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping and illegal destruction of lives and property.
” Amotekun is not political, it was established for the defence of our people and stem the tide of armed robbery, kidnapping and illegal destruction of lives and property.
“This is the first time that the entire Yoruba race is united on the need to raise a security platform to complement the existing security agencies to protect the lives and property of our people which is our constitutional duty.
“I also want to say that the South West is not seceding from Nigeria. The South West Zone remains part of Nigeria and it will remain committed to a united and indivisible Nigerian federation,” he said.
Fayemi also commended the group for promoting the culture of the Yoruba all over the world, saying his administration was fully in support of the sustenance of culture and using it to create jobs and boost tourism.
“We are happy that we have this type of organisation during your time because we believe it will cater for the interest of the Yoruba all over the world.
“The Yoruba are all over the world and they are doing fine in many fields of human endeavour. Interest groups like this are needed for them not to forget their culture,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Adams disclosed that the group was formed in 2011 in Mumbai, India, to organise an annual interface for delegates from all over the world on issues bordering on the sustenance of Yoruba culture.
Adams also welcomed the agreement reached between the Federal Government and governors in the zone on Amotekun, saying
“it is for the progress of the country.”
He, however, warned against politicising security issues over what he described as “unnecessary constitutional issues.”
“It is necessary for our governors to have our own security network code-named “Amotekun”. Life is precious. You don’t politicise the issue of security and bring unnecessary constitutional issues to the issue of life and property.
“Anything that affects Ekiti State affects the entire country and if Ekiti State is safe, the entire Nigeria is safe. If the South West is safe, the entire Nigeria is safe, ” he said.
Adams was accompanied on the visit by culture icon, Chief Jimoh Aliu and Director General, Ekiti State Bureau of Arts and Culture, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, among others.
