BEVERLY HILLS, January 30, (THEWILL) -The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that the House will amend the constitution to back various security interventions in parts of the country.
The speaker’s comment is coming on the heels of debates regarding the formation of the regional paramilitary outfit in the South-west, Amotekun, to complement the work of the police due to rising insecurity in the region.
Speaking on Wednesday while delivering his welcome address at the beginning of plenary, Gbajabiamila said the idea of Amotekun and other security interventions are due to the rising security across the country.
“Too often, it has seemed to me that lost in these interactions is the hard, brutal and unavoidable fact that Àmòtékùn and other such state or zonal interventions that already quietly exist in other parts of the country are a desperate response to the vile manifestations of insecurity that trouble the lives of citizens, depriving them of the peace and security that gives life meaning,” he said.
“I do not know that Àmòtékùn or whatever iterations of it may follow represents the ultimate or perfect solution to the problem of insecurity in our country. Nobody does that.
“What I also know is that whichever approach we seek, we are obligated to work within the limits imposed by the constitution to which we all swear allegiance.
“I am certain in the knowledge that doing nothing is not an option. We have a responsibility as legislators to support the best efforts of those who act with noble intent to protect our citizens.
“I, therefore, call on the Leader of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader to take active steps to bring to the floor, appropriate amendments to the constitution that will ensure that these and other righteous interventions to protect the life and property of our citizens are firmly in compliance with the laws of the land,” he said.
