By Kassim Omomia
The statement credited to Governor Bala Muhammaded and others, that Herdsmen are right to carry AK 47 rifles for self defence has caught the attention of the House of Representatives, which immediately cautioned the Governor and other political leaders from making such inflammatory statements in future
As leaders the House urged them to be mindful of the kind of statements they make especially in this critical times of insecurity in the country
Rising from debate of a motion, titled “Motion to caution Public Officials against being Inflammatory and Divisive”, sponsored by Honorable Dachong Baggos, the House passed a resolution , cautioning public officials against making inflammatory and divisive statements.
The lawmakers warned that such actions and comments have the potentials of causing unrest in the country
Alluding to the comments credited to Bauchi Governor, Bala Muhammaded, the House resolve to interface with Nigerian governors forums , since most of the dangerous remarks are coming from Nigerian Governors
Debating the motion, Hon Baggos noted that on the 13‘h of February, 2021, the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, a public official who should, based on the insecurity problems in the country need to moderate his comments, reportedly justified the illegal bearing of firearms by Fulani herdsmen, which has caused national outrage
He explained that the governor ought to have been careful with statements and actions because such reckless comments are capable of provoking aggressive reactions from the members of the general public;
According to him, the 1999 constitution ( as ammended) does not grant any individual or group of people the right to bare sophisticated arms
He disclosed that where Nigerians bear arms, it is only a licensed specified shooting range to that effect , and approved by the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force (IGP);
“Even if the IGP were to grant licenses, the IGP’s power cannot contravene the provisions of Chapter F28 LFN 004 Fire Arms Act which classifies the arms (AK47) carried by Fulani herdsmen as ascribed by the Bauchi State governor illegal and prohibited” Baggos argued
He stated that the lawmakers were concerned that the inflammatory and divisive statement by the governor, will lead to the erroneous belief that the government supports the perpetrated crimes of carrying prohibited firearms, and thereafter, escalate to armed conflict as other groups such as farmers and defenseless citizens will consider it as a threat to their safety and opt to arm themselves with AK47.
According to him, it was high time, parliament rose to the occasion and caution those concerned , because if all public officials regardless their position or status are not cautioned against inciting or provoking the general public, the already tense situation in the country will lead to Open hostilities;
End
