The Afenifere Renewal Group has called on the Federal Government to allow the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun to use arms to control and contain security threats in the region.
The group, made the call in Lagos, by its chairman, Olawale Oshun, at a press briefing marking its end-of-year deliberation.
Oshun said, “We note with dismay the sustained insurgencies across the length and breadth of the country, the growing events of banditry and terrorism and the need to further strengthen the security agencies to effectively control and contain the situation across the country.
“Even if the national political leadership has an aversion to confronting the insecurity situation head-on, the Yoruba leadership should not suffer the same insomnia since their productive peasantry, farmers and artisans bear the burden much more than other Nigerians.
“After extensive consultation and deliberations, we propose an immediate decentralisation of the security apparatus in the country. Multi-level policing, characterised by federating unit police structures, must replace the present unitary policing structure in our country, according to those who desire it.
“We contend that except the police force, which may require a constitutional amendment, all other recommendations are within the purview of administrative reform. As the Governor’s Forum has acceded to multilevel policing, even that can be accomplished within the life of this present Buhari government. President Buhari should remove all obstacles regarding the supply and use of arms by the Amotekun security agency.”
Oshun also urged Nigerians to shun ethnicity and religious differences and focus on the experience, competence and capacity of candidates before making a choice.
He added that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, should be supported and voted for in the 2023 general elections.
He said partly, “The rotation of national offices is an unwritten constitutional requirement in our country. Furthermore, for a complex country such as ours, the need for a patriotic, experienced, competent, and non-tribalistic manager narrows our search among the presidential candidates. ARG believes Bola Ahmed Tinubu more than any other tilts the scale, will deepen our democracy and should be supported.”
