- Safiu Kehinde
Osun State youths have slammed the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District, Sen. Francis Fadahunsi, over what they termed a “reckless comment” and his claim of being responsible for the sealing of the state’s Amotekun Corps operational offices.
NPO Reported that the Police operatives deployed from Abuja had sealed the local vigilante group’s offices over the attack and killings of residents of Akinlalu community by operatives attached to the Amotekun Corps.
In the wake of the office sealing and arrest of over 20 officials of the vigilante group suspected to be involved in the attack, Fadahunsi had reportedly claimed responsibility for the directive as he labelled the Osun Amotekun Corps ‘Home of Murderers”.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday, the youths, under the aegis of Concerned Youths of Ìfẹ-Ijesa for Good Governance and Security Stability in Osun State, slammed the lawmaker.
The group described Fadahunsi’s action and his self-portrayal of moral uprightness as laughable and lamentable.
They alleged that his political history is soaked in thuggery and misuse of raw power.
The youths labelled Fadahunsi’s claim as a direct affront to the Nigerian constitution and a reflection of his ‘Hitler-style’ arrogance.
They maintained that the Senator has no legal authority to order or enforce the closure of any state security institution.
The Amotekun Corps, as reiterated by the group, is created by law through the Osun State House of Assembly and has consistently demonstrated bravery and professionalism in combating insecurity within the state.
They charged Fadahunsi to focus on his duty of lawmaking, patriotic service, and stop dragging Osun into what was described as “needless tension and political theatrics.”
The youths expressed their solidarity with the Amotekun Corps, labelling it a symbol of homegrown security and community trust.
The statement read; “The attention of concerned citizens of Osun State has been drawn to a reckless and arrogant statement credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, wherein he claimed responsibility for the sealing of the operational bases of the Osun Amotekun Corps in Osogbo and Ile-Ife, describing the institution as a “home of murderers.”
“It is both laughable and lamentable that a man whose political history is soaked in thuggery and misuse of raw power could have the moral audacity to cast aspersions on a lawful and people-oriented security agency that has, since inception, been complementing the efforts of conventional security operatives across the state.
“For a serving Senator to openly boast of being behind the sealing of a state security agency is not only reckless and irresponsible, but also a direct affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Such an act reflects the Senator’s deep-seated arrogance and his dangerous attempt to elevate himself above the law as though he were the Chief of Defence Staff or Commander-in-Chief.
“Let it be clearly stated: No Senator, no matter how influential, possesses the legal authority to order or enforce the closure of any state security institution.
“This unguarded boast is, therefore, nothing but an abuse of office and a shameful display of political overreach unbecoming of a federal lawmaker.
“The Osun Amotekun Corps, created by law through the Osun State House of Assembly, has consistently demonstrated bravery and professionalism in combating insecurity within the state.
“From the recovery of stolen livestock and interception of armed robbers to the curbing of kidnapping and illegal mining activities, the Corps has remained a pillar of community safety, particularly in rural areas where federal security presence is minimal.
“Instead of sponsoring media attacks and hurling insults at an institution that protects the people, Senator Fadahunsi ought to channel his energy into strengthening it through advocacy, reform proposals, and legislative support; if truly he represents the interest of his constituents.
“This Hitler-style arrogance of boasting to have “sealed” a state security base is dangerous, dictatorial, and completely out of tune with democratic ethos.
“Senator Fadahunsi is advised to face his dusty duty of lawmaking, focus on patriotic service, and stop dragging Osun into needless tension and political theatrics.
“The people of Osun stand firmly behind Amotekun, a symbol of homegrown security and community trust.
“Our collective resolve is to support, reform, and strengthen Amotekun, not destroy it with politics of bitterness and ego trips.
“True leaders build institutions; pretenders destroy them for self-glorification. Senator Fadahunsi should choose which side of history he wishes to stand on.”