Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the governors in the South-West region of the country to stand firm in their resolve to defend and protect their people.
Fani-Kayode stated this while reacting to a statement credited to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which said the setting up of the paramilitary organisation, called ‘Amotekun’, was illegal and ran contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law.
Malami said in the statement that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) had established the army, navy and air force, including the police and other numerous paramilitary organisations for the purpose of the defence of Nigeria.
“As a consequence of this, no state government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of organisation or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts.
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“This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorising the police and other Federal Government security services established by law to maintain law and order,” the statement read in part.
While reacting to this on twitter handle, the former minister said he was not surprised that Malami could describe operation Amotekun as illegal, adding that, “Anybody that believes that a government whose primary interest is to protect the interest and further the fortunes of the Fulani and their herdsmen would want the sons of Oduduwa to defend themselves against mass murder is naive.
“Whether the FG likes it or not, we shall defend ourselves against the barbarity of the Fulani herdsmen and any other terrorist organization. I urge the governors of the South-West to stand firm in their resolve to defend and protect our people. We can no longer allow our people to be butchered,” part of the tweets read.
While questioning the rationale behind what makes the formation of Hisbah Police in North-West okay and the Civilian Joint Task Force in North-West and North-East legal, he wrote, “Hisbah Police in NW is ok. Civilian Joint Task Force in NW is ok. Civilian Joint Task Force in NE is ok. Meanwhile IPOB in SE are terrorists and Amotekun in SW is illegal!
“One day Nigerians will get tired of this bullshit, get sense & free themselves from this bondage,” Fani-Kayode added.
