Beatrice Gondyi

The Bauchi State chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call leaders instigating violence to order.

The state chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Sadiq Ibrahim Ahmed, who stated while adressing a press conference at NUJ, said recent statements  made by the some political leaders was a clear indication that the unity of Nigeria was at stake and can only be protected by President Buhari.

He said recent utterances by some state governors, threatening to expel Fulani herders from their territories, points to the fact that some people had the agenda of instigating violence aimed at cleansing the Fulani people from the land.

“The position of our state council on these issues is to call on the President to quickly address those leaders who are violating the constitution by disenfranchising on the fundamental rights of some particular members of the society.

“The statements made by the these leaders are a clear indication that the unity of Nigeria is at stake and can only be protected by Mr President,” the MACBAN state chairman said.

He particularly urged the President to sanction governors of Benue, Ekiti, Oyo, Taraba states

According to him, the recent statement made by Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, to the effect that herders were forced to defend themselves by carrying arms as a result of the failure of the country and its citizens to protect them was being used to attack the governor.

He noted that statements credited to Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, criminalised the Fulani people in general.

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“The recent statement made by Governor Bala Mohammed who called for the protection of the Nigerian constitution, that if the government cannot protect its citizens (herdsmen), they should protect themselves was viewed by the leaders who found themselves in government by chance and not by leadership qualities to attack him on various media outfits as if he was wrong in making such statement

“Worse was Governor (Samuel) Ortom who publicly announced that the normad herdsmen should move down to Bauchi to carry out their criminalities which means that all Fulani normads and herdsmen are criminals,” he said.

The MACBAN chairman assured that the association will continue to educate to remain law abiding citizens of Nigeria and reject any attempt by any tribe to criminalise them.

“We will continue to educate and enlighten our members to continue to be law abiding but should lawfully reject any attempt by a group of tribes in Nigeria trying to control and instigate violence in a united Nigeria.”

While expressing support for Governor Mohammed on his statement on Fulani herders protecting themselves against attacks, Ahmed threatened that farmers among MACBAN members would stop transportation of food items to the Southern part of the country should threat against Fulani continued.

“We support the executive governor of Bauchi State that once the lives and properties of citizens are in danger, we have no option than protecting ourselves.

“We warn that when these issues continue to linger, we will advise our members who produce animals and foodstuff to stop the transportation of such food items to the South.”