High Chief Rotimi Olusanya, the Asamo of Akure Kingdom has stated that the Fulani herdsmen has no business in the state forest reserves saying any attempt to register them by that government is dangerous to the already porous security architecture of the state.
He said the sudden U-Turn by the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu on his earlier applauded vacation order of the Fulani herdsmen is worrisome and should be looked into by the stakeholders.
” The Governor of the State seems to succumb to the pressure from the presidency who moved against his order saying he has no constitutional rights to ban the Fulani from the state”.
Stakeholders meeting was called by the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi where governors from the South West, two governors from Jigawa and Kebbi respectively were in attendance with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah.
Asamo said he was elated with the bold step of the governor when he ordered the herders to leave the state forests reserves, noting that it is unfortunate that the governor was cowed and bowed to superior authority.
He frowned at the ongoing registration of the herders by the government, adding that the registration will further strengthen the Fulani herdsmen to continue in the criminal acts.
The Deji’s Chief further said the excesses of the Fulani in Nigeria was due to the support from the presidency. ” Before the Buhari Presidency, Fulani herdsmen have been living with us peacefully for years but the moment Buhari became the president, they start misbehaving and see criminality as way of life”.
He commended the effort of the Amotekun Security Networks in protecting the residents against the killers herders, noting that it is not easy for the Amotekun to overcome the arms carrying herders who move around with AK 47 as against the arms being used by Amotekun.
He commended the appointment of new service Chiefs by the President, though belated as many Nigerians have demanded for the sack of the heads of the security apparatus who have contributed little or nothing to the war against insurgence.
Meanwhile, Asamo condemned the return of Mission schools back to the original owners saying the Arakunrin Akeredolu government is shying away from its responsibility of providing qualitative education for all in the state.
” If these schools are return to the church, where on earth would they have the resources to finance it? Can the schools pay minimum wage of N30,000? It is act of irresponsible that is making the government to think of returning the schools back to the missions”.
