National Leader of the ALL Progressive Congress, APC Chief Bola Tinubu has finally spoken on “Amotekun”, a recently launched security outfit by governors of the southwest region to tackle criminal activities in the region.
Tinubu on Wednesday called for dialogue between governors of South West states and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice over the zone’s security initiative.
In a statement titled “Public Discourse on Amotekun” Tinubu said he does not think that the security network will put the country at risk.
The statement read in part; “Those claiming that this limited, inoffensive addition to security threatens the Republic have taken themselves upon a madcap excursion.
“Those claiming the federal government seeks to terribly suppress the South West have also lost their compass.
“Those who occupy these two extremes have sunken into the dark recesses of fear and political paranoia that can undo a country if such sentiments are allowed to gestate.
“This issue(Amotekun) has dominated recent discourse and media headlines. Distilled to its basics, it concerns how best state governments can assist with the safety and security of their residents.
“This is a matter of serious concern entitled to sober thought. However, it has been turned into a political tug of war, fierce and often unthinking rhetoric, for and against, has crossed the lips of too many Nigerians.
“More subjective than objective thinking has been the fuel of this outburst. Question those in favour of Amotekun, most have but the vaguest notion about it.
“They know few details yet vigorously attribute to its opponents the most negative intentions.
“Ask those who oppose Amotekun, they are equally ignorant of its provisions; They oppose the initiative not on its merits but merely because it was proposed by their political opponents or because they don’t see an avenue for personal gain from it.
“While colourful, the rhetoric has been disconcerting. How people have mishandled this matter demonstrates that we still have far way to go in perfecting democracy.”
