President Muhammadu Buhari has
appealed for accommodation and tolerance among cattle herders and farmers
throughout the country.
According to a statement made
available by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicty,
Garba Shehu, Buhari spoke at the State House when he received the leaders of
the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN.
He also urged the herders to
support him in the task of bringing lasting peace to the country.
The President appealed for calm
among all citizens, saying that his government will give equal respect to all
citizens irrespective of their ethnic, religious and geopolitical backgrounds.
President Buhari said, “I appeal
to all farmers and herders for restraint, mutual respect and tolerance for one
another as people destined to live together in this great country. I appeal for
patience and understanding as the administration works towards lasting
solutions to these conflicts.”
The President called on state
governors to work with the Minister of Agriculture, who he said, had been
mandated to work out a solution with the states by which herders will have
access to water for their livestock, and farmers will have security against
destruction of their farmlands.
President Buhari attributed part
of the conflict between the two groups to the climate change phenomenon and
population explosion, but regretted that its politicization by selfish
individuals who did not mean well for the country did not also help matters.
He emphasized that this conflict was
neither religious nor ethnic, but one that his administration has foreseen and
warned about.
The President added, “Before the
Benue and Taraba crises, I called the Minister of Agriculture and the Governor
of Central Bank and asked them to work with the state governors on
rediscovering the gazetted cattle routes, clear of farmlands that had made for
peace during the First Republic.”
President Buhari expressed strong
confidence that a way around the problem will be found, working with the states
which have an important role to play in finding a lasting solution.
“Whatever it will take, I am
determined to bring peace between farmers and herders. I urge you all to be
patient and exercise restraint while we are working for an enduring solution,”
he stressed.
MACBAN, led by Alhaji Mohammed
Kiruwa, informed the President that the 20-million strong body had sent the
delegation to endorse his bid for a second term in office on account of the
administration’s achievements in office which included, the successful
clampdown on kidnapping and cattle rustling; and the fight against terrorism
and corrupt elements in the society.
Alhaji Kiruwa said President
Buhari’s personal qualities of honesty, integrity and his unparalleled
commitment to the unity and progress of the nation, also informed his
association’s support for a renewal of his tenure.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com