The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has asked herders in Ondo
state not to leave their locations and resist moves to be labelled as
criminals.
In a statement on Wednesday, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a spokesman
of the forum, asked Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, to rescind the
ultimatum given to herders to vacate forest reserves in the state.
He described the governor’s order as provocative and
unhelpful.
On Monday, Akeredolu gave herders a seven-day ultimatum to
leave the forests, citing the rising insecurity in the state.
The governor said “bad elements” have turned the forest
reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for
ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.
But Baba-Ahmed said Fulanis will not accept unfair
treatment, challenging the governor to isolate criminals and treat them as
such.
“Northern Elders Forum is shocked at reports that Governor
of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is asking a Fulani community to leave its
lawful location, in addition to other restrictions on activities of Fulani
people who have lived in the State for a long period,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“Governor Akeredolu is a senior lawyer who should know that
the constitution does not give him the power to deny any Nigerian the right to
live where he chooses if he does not break the law in the process. His duty to
protect and improve the security of citizens and all people in Ondo State
cannot be challenged.
“No Nigerian has the power to take punitive action against
citizens on political grounds. The forum believes that the action of the
governor is provocative and unhelpful.
“If there are criminal elements among the Fulani who live in
the state, the governor should take appropriate steps to identify them and deal
with them. Similarly, the Fulani do not enjoy legal immunity in any part of
Nigeria.
“The Fulani are subject to all laws and regulations and must
respect the communities with which they live and interact. What is dangerous
and unacceptable is to profile and demonize the Fulani and treat him outside
the laws of the land like all other Nigerians.
“The Fulani community in Ondo state should stay put where
they are and continue to be law-abiding.
“We call on Governor Akeredolu to rescind his order on the
Fulani, or clarify his position in the event that he is misunderstood. For the
avoidance of doubt, no Fulani anywhere in Nigeria will accept unfair and
illegal treatment just for being Fulani.”
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