The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said it is not surprised that the Buhari administration is against the move by Ondo State government to secure its people from atrocities committed by 'marauding Fulani in Ondo state' because the Buhari government has established itself as that which represents Fulani interests against those of other ethnic nationalities in the country.
The Buhari administration while reacting to the seven-day ultimatum recently gave to Fulani herdsmen to leave its forest reserves, said it was wrong for Ondo State government to "unilaterally oust thousands of herders who have lived all their lives in the state on account of the infiltration of the forests by criminals."
The Presidency said instead of generalizing, all States in the country particularly in the South, should draw clear lines between criminals and the law-abiding citizens.
However, Afenifere on Wednesday, said the Presidency and its 'minion' Garba Shehu, have problems whenever there are issues involving Fulani, as they tend to be sympathetic to to the Fulani, whilst ignoring the atrocities commitment by their people which according to the group, has caused untold hardship to the people of Ondo State.
The statement which was made by its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, read: “The intervention by what we mistakenly call the Federal Government of Nigeria on behalf of marauding Fulani in Ondo state against the lawful government in that state did not come to Afenifere as a surprise as it is in line with non-pretence by this regime that it represents only Fulani interests against those of Yoruba, Igbo, Junkun, Ijaw and other tribes in Nigeria.
“That the Federal Government and its minion, Garba Shehu, could only hear Ondo State when Governor Akeredolu was very loud and clear about herders to vacate forest reserves in the state is symptomatic that this government has a serious problem with heating the rest of us when the issue involves its anointed Fulani.
“The Fulani criminals have caused untold hardship in Ondo State and other Yoruba towns and cities in recent time and only an irresponsible government that wants to behave like our Federal Government that cares will continue to fold its arms.
“Are Ondo Forest Reserves under Ondo State Government or the Federal Government and Miyetti Allah? We agree with the Ondo State Government that the insensibility of Garba Shehu violates the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“What has this government done to assure our people that it can protect our lives with the open murders of Mrs Funke Olakunri, Olufon of Ifon and the Deputy Registrar of FUTA (Federal University of Technology, Akure), among many others? The lives of our people and other non-Fulani communities are daily being taken by local and foreign Fulani bandits without any sign that these lives matter to the government with its desire to shield the Fulani from the laws.
“Nobody would ever have believed that it would get to this irresponsible stage that the Federal Government will one day come to this barbaric level Garba Shehu has taken it and the peak of their direct salvos against Amotekun since it started. All true- born Yoruba should stand behind Governor Akeredolu in these trying times.
He must do all within the law to flush Ondo forests of all criminals. Other governors should emulate their chair and free our land from the Fulani who have surrounded us with the shield of the Federal Government.
“Let them declare open war on behalf of the Fulani and our ancestors will all wake up in their graves.”
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