• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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BusinessDay

My comment on ‘Amotekun’ done in good faith – Balarabe Musa

Balarabe Musa

Balarabe Musa, has said that the criticism that trailed his comment on the setting up of the Southwest security outfit, ‘Amotekun’, was unnecessary because it was done in the overall interest of the nation.

Musa had last week alleged that the Southwest establishment of ‘Amotekun’ was a ploy by the Yorubas to create Oduduwa Republic.

The comment had attracted criticism among section of Nigerians, including some leaders in the Southwest.

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka had equally condemned Musa’s remarks, saying that he was wrong about his assertion on the reason for the establishment of the security outfit.

Soyinka had said Amotekun had come to stay, saying such an outfit was needed in a Southwest zone ravaged by insecurity.

National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu, while backing the establishment of the security outfit, had called for dialogue to resolve the difference.

However, last week, the Federal Government despite initial opposition toward the setting up of the security outfit reached an agreement with the six state governors of the region on the operation of ‘Amotekun’.

The government agreed that necessary legal instruments should be put in place by each of the states to give legal backing to the initiative and address all issues concerning the regulation of the security structure.

But speaking in an interview with BusinessDay, Tuesday, Musa, who was a Second Republic governor of old Kaduna State, urged Nigerians to judge him with his comment, stressing that he was ready to join issues with anyone about his comment.

“Yes, I read Soyinka’s comment; I chose not to respond to him, but what I said was in good faith. It was done for national interest; Nigerians should judge, I don’t want to join issues with anyone,” Musa said.

 

Iniobong Iwok