A forum of former governors has condemned an ultimatum issued to herdsmen to vacate forest reserves, calling it an attack on Nigeria’s corporate existence.
In some quarters, the vacate order issued by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in Ondo state, has been extended to mean the entire Yoruba Land.
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Chairman of the Former Governors Forum, Mu’azu Babangida, former governor of Niger, and its secretary Tunde Esan, said whatever motivated the notice must never be supported, adding, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”.
“In the last few days, peace and tranquillity in some parts of our country is being undermined, by ethnocentric agitations and sheer aggrandizement by ethnic warlords,” they said in a statement.
“The southwest is the latest theatre of actions and inactions that challenges our fundamentals as a nation.
“To put it succinctly, ethnic warlords are threatening to launch an attack on Fulani herders.”
A Fulani community in Oyo came under attack, sparking calls for the arrest of Sunday Igboho, believed to have spurred the attack by youths.
The forum further advised that appropriate security agencies should be allowed to deal with the situation if there are criminals elements among the Fulani herders.
“But, it cannot and should not be a reason for misguided groups and ethnic jingoists to exploit the situation for whatever reason and take actions that challenge our togetherness as a nation.
“Fulani herders and Yoruba have been living together for generations; they share cultural values and religious practice.
“Those who seek to exploit the situation for personal gains should not be encouraged.”
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