Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the
federal government is portraying itself as the “defender of herders” in the
country.
Falana stated this on Sunday while featuring on “The
Platform”, a Television Continental (TVC) programme.
The human rights lawyer, who lamented the state of
insecurity in the country, called on the federal government to defend the
rights of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or class.
His comments followed the directive issued by Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, that herders should vacate the state’s forest reserves as part of efforts to tackle kidnapping and banditry.
Akeredolu, however, added that those who wish to continue
with their cattle-rearing business in the forest reserves should register with
the appropriate authorities.
But in a swift response, Garba Shehu, presidential
spokesman, said the governor cannot order herders out of Ondo, adding that the
action could set off a chain of events “which the makers of our constitution
foresaw and tried to guard against”.
Reacting, Falana said the forestry reserve law in the state
requires compulsory registration for those who want to carry out operations
there.
According to the lawyer, the federal government has not
showed enough commitment to protecting all Nigerians.
“There is nothing strange whether you are talking of Benue
or Ekiti state or whatever. The federal government has come in to defend
herders, whether anti-grazing law or whatever. At the same time, the federal
government does not defend the poor, the beggars, the destitute and others who
are forcefully arrested and deported to their states of origin,” he said.
“The federal government does not bother because they belong
to the flotsam and jetsam of the society. So, that is why people are wondering.
“The federal government is portraying itself as the defender
of herders and it is not very good.”
The human rights lawyer, however, noted that Akeredolu’s
directive should not have generated controversy in the country, adding that the
Miyetti Allah association in the state should have met with the governor and
registered its members so that they can continue with their cattle rearing
business in the state.
“That shouldn’t have attracted any controversy. What one
would have expected the Miyetti Allah group in Ondo state to do is to ensure
that all their members are registered; no more no less,” he said.
Falana also urged the presidency and the Ondo government to
ensure that the conflict between herders and farmers does not get out of hand.
“I think that the federal government and the Ondo state
government should ensure that this matter does not get out of hand, once the
impression is being given that the state government is deporting herders,” he
said.
“While the federal
government portraying itself as the defender of herders is not very good, the
federal government must defend all Nigerians, and at the same time also ensure
that the laws of the country are complied with.”
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