Yoruba group asks southwest governors not to negotiate with Miyetti Allah

Amidst the move by governors to douse the rising tension over quit notice to herders, some Yoruba leaders have asked the six South-West governors not to negotiate with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) met with MACBAN leadership in Akure, Ondo State following the expiration of the quit notice given to herders to vacate Ondo forest reserves by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

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But Yoruba leaders under the aegis of Yoruba World Assembly said herders should not be allowed to remain in Ondo forests to guarantee the safety of the state and by extension the South-West zone.

Secretary-General of YWA, Dr. Victor Taiwo, who spoke on behalf 9f the group which represents 15 other Yoruba also warned the Federal Government against arresting Sunday Igboho who on Friday chased away Fulani herders in Igangan Ibarapa, Oyo State after giving them seven-day ultimatum.

He said arresting Sunday Igboho was tantamount to assaulting the entire Yoruba nation.

Taiwo who spoke with newsmen ahead of a security summit fixed for Ibadan next month called on all governors in the zone to see the issue as a collective struggle devoid of political coloration.

He said the same method used in 1840 when Fulanis from Ilorin were repelled by combined Yoruba forces, drawn from all supporting towns of Oyo power, in line with defence arrangement perfected by Yoruba leaders led by Alaafin Atiba should be adopted.

Taiwo said, “It is too late to cry when the head is off. We have had enough of Miyetti Allah people. We don’t think anything good can come out of it.

“They have killed us, messed us up enough. We have had enough patience in the land. Brigands come killing, maiming  our people. To now come and say you’re meeting with Myetti Allah is a concession that they are the ones causing mayhem.

“The only way forward is to protect ourselves. These people are incorrigible because they have godfathers who are propping them. They have given them license to do whatever they like.”