AMOTEKUN IS A STILLBIRTH PROJECT, SAYS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

“Federal Republic of Nigeria is a sovereign entity and is governed by laws meant to sustain its corporate existence as a constitutional democracy. No other authority at the state level, whether the executive or legislature has the legal authority over defence””,the statement declared

The Minister in the statement by  his spokesman Umar Gwandu, while citing provisions of the Second Schedule to the Constitution, insisted that security “is a matter that is within the exclusive operational competence of the Federal of Government of Nigeria.

Penpushing further reports that, the Minister emphasized that the Constitution established military and paramilitary outfits to defend Nigeria and its citizens, pointing out that another arrangement outside of it was a nullity.

“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 organization or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts.

“This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorizing the Police and other Federal government security services established by law to maintain law and order.”

The statement while threatening the Governors behind the project warned that “the law will take its natural course in relation to excesses associated with organization, administration and participation in “Amotekun” or continuous association with it as an association”.

Penpushing also reports that, the Attorney General pointed out that  his office was not consulted before plotting the security network stating that  he would have advised against the exercise, stressing that  if the Governors had contacted his office “proper information and guidance would have been offered to ensure that Nigeria’s defence and corporate entity are preserved at all times”.

Meanwhile, it is recalled that  the launch of the outfit was held in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, a ceremony attended  by political and traditional leaders across party lines from the South-West,while thereafter there were divided opinions about the constitutionality or otherwise of the security arrangement and the fear of possible abuse of such an outfit by state governors.