The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has said there was no eviction order to herdsmen in Ondo State or any part of the South West region.
It said the speech of Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was misconstrued in the media and was only directed at government reserve including registration.
Chairman of NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said this during the meeting in Akure with the national leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
Some of the governors in attendance include Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Jigawa, Kebbi and many state governors.
In his welcome remarks, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said the meeting was called to resolve the issue of insecurity in the South-West.
He explained that the order pronounced by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was misconstrued by the media, particularly the social media.
He noted that Akeredolu had not ordered the Fulani to leave Ondo State.
Fayemi said, “Many members of MACBAN were born in the South-West. So, Akeredolu cannot ask Fulani to vacate Ondo State. The area concerned is the forest reserves and it is about registration and also to work in line with the law.
“What we are after is the criminals, not Fulani herdsmen, criminals are criminals irrespective of their ethnic group.”
Dr. Fayemi noted that the statement generated a lot of hoopla which led to what he described as unfortunate development in Oyo State.
He said Akeredolu didn’t talk about herdsmen vacating the state but about registration of herdsmen who want to operate within the reserves.
The Ekiti Governor said they are after criminals and not fulani herdsmen.
Leave a Reply