The coalition of Northern groups has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop state governors from the South-East region over their recent decision said to be against herdsmen in the region.
The recent decision of the state governors to restrict the movement of cows into the region by foot is one of the measures faulted by the Northern groups whose 30-day ultimatum, for the implementation of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) nationwide, is yet to expire.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in Abuja on Thursday, the group urged the federal government to urgently halt the forceful ejection of pastoralists in Southern part of the country.
Mr Suleiman said the decision of the governors is currently building tension among citizens of Fulani extraction.
“We are not impressed by the patronizing and insulting attempt to divide Fulani people and Nigerians by leaders who do not appear to understand the implications of their decisions,” the group said.
“We ask here whether other Nigerians should now arrogate to themselves powers to decide which chemists in the North sell drugs or which business men are making money manufacturing spare parts in the North.
“Should Northern Governors assume responsibility for expelling persons from particular ethnic groups that are clearly involved in criminal activities, or designing difficult and impossible conditions for others from these groups which will make it impossible for them to operate?” they queried.
The group urged security agencies to urgently check the escalation of hate-inducing comments by some Southern based political, cultural and religious leaders aiming at endangering the Fulani people rendering them object of indiscriminate attacks.
