Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has assured that the Southwest geopolitical zone has no plans to secede from Nigeria in the heat of the controversy generated by the launch of Western Nigeria Security Network code-named Operation Amotekun.
Dr. Fayemi said the Southwest region remains part of Nigeria, will continue to be part of Nigeria and remain committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
The Governor gave the assurance on Monday when he hosted a pan-Yoruba development interest group, the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) Worldwide who were led to his office by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Dr. Fayemi said nobody should entertain any fear of secession by the Southwest over the launch of Amotekun which he said was meant to protect all Nigerians resident in the region.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, Adams hailed all the six Governors in the Southwest for coming together with the idea of a security arrangement to protect their people, lives and property in the zone.
Dr. Fayemi explained that Governors in the Southwest decided to establish Amotekun to tackle criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping, illegal destruction of lives and property and give assurance of safety to all residents.
He said: “Amotekun is not political, it was established for the protection of our people and stem the tide of armed robbery, kidnapping, illegal destruction of lives and property.
“This is the first time that the region 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 Southwest is not seceding from Nigeria. The southwest zone remains part of Nigeria and it will remain committed to a united and indivisible Nigerian federation.”
Fayemi also commended OPU for promoting the culture of the Yoruba all over the world saying his administration fully supported the sustenance of culture and using it to drive social integration, create jobs and boost tourism.
“We are happy that we have this type of organization during your (Adams’) time because we believe it will cater to 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.”
Speaking earlier, Adams disclosed that OPU was formed in 2011 in Mumbai, India and was set up to organize an annual interface for delegates from all over the world on issues bordering on the sustenance of the Yoruba culture.
Baring his mind on the Amotekun debate, Adams welcomed the agreement reached between the Federal Government and Governors in the Southwest on the security network saying “it is for the progress of the country.”
He said: “It is necessary for our Governors to have our own security network code-named Amotekun. Life is precious. You don’t politicize the issue of security
“Anything that affects Ekiti State affects the entire country and if Ekiti State is safe, the entire Nigeria is safe. If the Southwest is safe, the entire Nigeria is safe.
“So, I think the initiative of Amotekun by the Southwest Governors, the President should complement it. He should even add it to their books so that the economic nerve of the nation can be safe in terms of life and property.
“We don’t need to continue to throwing missiles at ourselves in the media and anybody who stands as an antagonist to Amotekun, I will perceive that person in two forms.
“One, he has an agenda to destroy our zone or two, he is an agent of criminals. Definitely, the agreement between the Federal Government and Southwest Governors is a welcome development. It is for the progress of the country.”
Adams was in Ado Ekiti to attend the Annual World Conference of the OPU which was scheduled for Ekiti State. He was accompanied to the Governor’s Office by OPU chieftains led by their President, Mr. Olawale Ayinla; culture icon, Chief Jimoh Aliu; Director General, Ekiti State Bureau of Arts and Culture, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre and officials of various pan-Yoruba groups.
