‘Quit notice’: Meet govs to douse tension, Northern Elders tell Buhari

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Monday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to convene an urgent meeting with governors particularly those from the South West region in order to de-escalate rising tension across the country.

The forum said it was high time the federal government recognised and dealt with the issue of cattle herding as a national challenge, by adopting policies that will mitigate the problems it poses to the economy, farmers, herders and all communities.

A statement signed by the Director, Publicity and Advocacy of the Forum, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stressed that the events happening in the South West region are assuming national dimensions, and only a national approach will provide short and long term solutions.

The forum said, “Most important, the Forum advises President Muhammadu Buhari to meet immediately with all State Governors and heads of security and law and order agencies to examine how the current tensions in the country can be de-escalated. Events in the South West are assuming national dimensions, and only a national approach will provide short- and long-term solutions.”

Governors in the South West are to meet with Fulani organizations on Tuesday January 26, a day after the expiration of the quit order issued by the Governor of Ondo State to Fulani herders to leave forest reserves.