Perhaps no other issue has raised so much emotions in Nigeria and widened the fault lines in the country like the launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network code named ‘Amotekun’ by the six state governors of the South West region of the country.
While some panic reactions especially from the northern parts of the country have trailed Amotekun, leaders of the South West and their supporters across the country regard Amotekun as a prompt response to the widespread insecurity in the country, largely perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgency and the Fulani herdsmen. Others have also warned that if the crisis is not properly handled it may lead to dismemberment of the country.
On a recent television programme over the Amotekun saga, the Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the umbrella body of the Fulani herdsmen, Saleh Hassan, apparently lost some courtesy when in anger, he described the South West leaders as the most “primitive” and “intolerant” people despite their achievements in education. He alleged that the regional security outfit was targeted at his group, who rear cattle across the country and demanded it should be closed down.
Saleh’s outburst has generated bitter reactions especially from the south west and such emotional attachments have been deepening the regional, ethnic and religious divides in the country. The South West leaders have since stuck to their guns and even challenged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who described Amotekun as illegal, to go to court if he so aggrieved.
Speaking to BDSUNDAY in an exclusive interview on Thursday, former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, warned that the Amotekun controversy could trigger a flurry of events that may lead to the disintegration of Nigeria if not properly handled.
“The ‘Amotekun’ saga is poetic justice for those who have managed Nigeria recently and have not listened to complaint of the gradual loss of professionalism and universalism in the management of Nigerian polity. Yes the present crisis has the capacity to destroy the fragile unity and patriotism in the country.
“It is more worrisome because of the rhetoric of hate and demonisation that has accompanied the controversy. I think the country is moving towards disintegration. But the good news is that it’s reversible. We can still save the republic if we heed the warning signs and not pretend we can muddle through. Nigeria has almost a religious belief in its ability to break the laws of nature and of science and come to grief.
“That’s why many Nigerians proudly say God is a Nigerian. But it’s only foolish people that continue to move towards the precipice and expect God to deliver them. We are tottering as a country and tottering towards a precipice. The Amotekun saga just quickened our steps to perdition. But like I said, it’s all reversible,” he said.
Amadi added that Amotekun is not just about security but a vote against a sense of injustice and an indictment of the federal security agencies. “It dramatises they phenomenal failure of security in Nigeria, a failure that is aggravated by the lack of professionalism and nationalism of the security agencies,” he said.
Also reacting to the issue, Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed, who described Amotekun as illegal, reportedly accused the South West leaders of setting up the security outfit as a step to secure secession through the back door. He blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing them set up of Amotekun, stressing that the South West leaders want to test the will of the federal government by setting up what he called “fake army”.
“To me, it is not in Nigeria’s interest to allow Amotekun at this time in its history. As far as I am concerned the fact that they went ahead to flout such an entity at this moment in the history of Nigeria shows clearly that there is something fundamentally wrong with the polity,” he said.
He reportedly accused the South West leaders of allegedly using the security outfit to bargain for concessions from the Buhari government even as he warned them of the grave consequences of their actions.
However, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Pogu Bitrus, in an interview with BDSUNDAY on Wednesday, dismissed insinuation that the launch of Amotekun will lead to disintegration of the country. He said that Amotekun is a response to a failed security system even as he warned of more ripple effects.
“Firstly I don’t agree that creation of Amotekun is a precursor or an indication that the country will break up. I see Amotekun, which I support, as a response to a failed security system. The security system of the country has failed. Boko Haram is operating freely in the North east; ISWAP is also operating freely in the North east.
“Every day, people are being abducted and kidnapped in the North east and military men are sitting at locations which they now called super camps waiting for Boko Haram to attack before they go out and launch an attack, rather than going out to fight Boko Haram.
“So as a result, the Yoruba felt they should not wait until what is happening in the North east come upon them. Being proactive, they have set up the security outfit to complement the efforts of the police and other security agencies. I don’t see that as a sign of break up but as a sign of the south west geopolitical zone coming together to do one primary requirements of government , that is provision of security and welfare to their people,” he said.
The Middle belt leader also castigated those who feel threatened by Amotekun, pointing out that they have ulterior motives and probably the ones sponsoring the massive insecurity ravaging most parts of the country.
He emphasised that those opposed to Amotekun are not sincere. He said “it is a ploy by the people, who may be the architect or supporters or sponsors of the aggressors in this country who don’t to see agencies like Amotekun coming up because may be they want Nigerians not to fight back so that they can be killed like rats and chickens, which serves their purpose but by the grace of God, the truth shall prevail.
“I support Amotekun and I advise other state governors to follow suit so that the military and the police will know that they have failed the country. They should either reorganise or something more than Amotekun may even arise,” he warned.
As the controversy rages, some have argued that the move by South west leaders might be a step to the much needed national consensus that may lead to the much touted true federal structure for Nigeria. However, opposition elements against true federalism, especially from the north have remained fervent. How the nation will resolve this bugbear remains within the bowels of time.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
