Politics

Masari a drunkard, Katsina’s worst governor – Miyetti Allah

No Comments

The Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, on Tuesday, described the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, as a drunkard for saying most bandits are of the Fulani stock.

Masari, who featured in a Channels Television’s programme, “Politics Today” on Monday, alleged many of the bandits causing havoc in Katsina and other parts of Northern Nigeria are Fulani indigenes whose main occupation is rearing cattle.

He said: “They are the same people like me, who speak the same language as me, who profess the same religious beliefs as me.

“So, what we have here on ground are bandits. They are not aliens, they are people we know. They are people that have been living with us for 100 years.

The infiltration we have from some West African countries and North African countries are also people of the Fulani extraction.

“Majority of those involved in this banditry are Fulanis whether it is palatable or it is not but that is the truth.

“I am not saying 100 percent of them are Fulani but a majority of them are, and these are people who live in the forest and their main occupation is rearing of cattle.”

However, in its reaction to Masari’s remarks, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Saleh Alhassan, asked Nigerians to ignore the governor.

He told journalists that nothing good can come out of Masari because he was a drunkard.

He said: “No one should take that drunkard seriously. Nigerians should just ignore that man as he has nothing to offer.

“Just looking at him, one would see he is tired. Do you take him serious? Records should come from security operatives, not a confused human being.

“He knows them now, is he not a Fulani man? All of them talking are stealing security votes. They should find solutions, create ranches for these herders and accommodate them.

“Which people do you find along the Sahel Sahara desert? They are many tribes. Is it by a physique that you now identify a Fulani man?

“The bandits are criminals, why should you attach tribe to it? That’s why we are not happy. You don’t need to attach a tribe because it will affect an innocent person.

Forget that man, that man is the worst governor Katsina has had; we are just praying for his time to lapse.”

Politics

Miyetti Allah backs southern governors on open grazing ban

No Comments

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has endorsed the decision of Southern Governors to ban open grazing.

National Patron of MACBAN, Senator Walid Jibrin, addressing a press conference in Kaduna On Thursday, said the ban is capable of solving the farmers-herders crisis.

According to him, cattle rearing has been in Africa for over 100 years without any consideration to free movement of cattle (Open Grazing) or any Grazing Reserve.

He said this was carried out in the past because there were few herders, farmers and cattle, especially in Nigeria.

Jibrin noted that, currently, the population has increased with modern technique of farming consuming land tremendously.

The MACBAN Patron also opposed the criticism that trailed the decision of governors on grazing ban, saying they deserved being praised for taking such a bold step.

He said; “We must note that land in Nigeria is being owned by individuals, Federal, and State Governments.

As a full-blooded Fulani Man, Sarkin Fulani, and Patron Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and concerned Fulani Leader in Nigeria, I have a free mind on anyone recommending a ban on open grazing, free movement of herders, and cattle in Nigeria because the practice is getting outdated and it is necessary for Nigeria, especially the Fulani race to study critically the traditional open grazing believing that the 21st century may never accommodate it.

“When you look at the practice of open grazing in Nigeria compared with what is happening Internationally, Nigeria can never continue with traditional open grazing practice. In order to effect a change, the Fulani elites should be bold enough to come out with alternatives to open grazing and advise the Fulanis in Nigeria accordingly.

“Most importantly the various Fulani Associations with Membership up to 50 must come together and talk with one voice on this tradition of open grazing and not necessarily allow any group to come out to do it for them.

“The Federal and State Governments should come to the rescue by providing Grazing reserve centres equipped with Hospitals, Nomadic Schools, Electricity, Bore Holes, Cattle Markets with Modern Slaughtering Centres, Open Market to our Fulani Women to enable them to remain in one place to sell milk instead of their house to house roaming about exposing our rich Culture and Religion.”

“I have fully observed the feeling of many groups and individuals in Nigeria about open grazing. There is so much condemnation from Nigerian Governors, Northern Governors, Southern Governors etc. These groups and individuals should never be condemned and must be praised for their bold comments trying to modernize and improve cattle rearing in Nigeria. Another reason why we should shun away from open grazing is the way old methods of settlements of crises between Herdsmen and Farmers have been abandoned.

“The role of the Traditional rulers especially the Village Heads, District Heads are daily being neglected by both Herdsmen and Farmers leaving it on the hands of the Police, Courts and other Law abiding agencies. Because of poverty and lack of full education some Fulani children are involved in some unholy acts which will surely be remedied by provision of Grazing reserves.

“May I seize this opportunity to congratulate all the Governors for the bold steps they are taking to curb the menace of open grazing, kidnapping and banditry. In the S/W the recent action by the Governor of Oyo State Chief Makinde is very commendable and also commend him for shunning away the call asking all Hausas and Fulanis to leave the SouthWest. I also condemn any call from the North that all Hausas and Fulani should – leave the South West.

“Nigeria must remain one entity and one Nigeria as against what is happening now. We should rely more on dialogue, and mediation with herders, Fulani Leaders, Traditional rulers and our Governors in order to end this feud. Our Traditional Rulers must also be encouraged to participate in dialogue between Fulani Herdsmen and Farmers for now the traditional rulers are kept off from handling of Herdsmen and Farmers problems.”

Jibrin’s comment comes after the Attorney-General of the federation, Abubakar Malami, accused southern governors of illegality, likening the ban on grazing in the south to the prohibition of spare parts trade in the north.

Politics

Miyetti Allah asks herdsmen to leave southern states over ban on open grazing

No Comments

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has called on all Fulani herdsmen in the southern states of Nigeria to leave the region following a call by the governors to ban open grazing.

In a statement signed by Chairman of the Bauchi State chapter of MACBAN, Sadiq Ibrahim Ahmed, and made available to Ripples Nigeria on Sunday, the body urged herders operating in the south to urgently leave the region as “the governors of the 17 states that make up the region are bent on frustrating their business as well as turn the people against herders.”

The MACBAN letter to herders reads:

“This is a simple calculation. We are heading for secession. The rulers are no longer interested in the people. If some people are banned from open grazing, there is nothing more. Fulani people should move out from there. It is very simple.

Must we transport the cattle there? I have said it before. We have an option of breeding our cattle here (North). We are peace lovers. Let them come and buy from us. It is some people’s fault.

“The Southern governors can do that. There is no problem, let them do what they want. If the Northern governors feel like, they can ban open grazing. We don’t care.

“The President is there as a figurehead. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He is not controlling anybody. In our country now, everyone does what he feels like. The country is already moving apart. Where is the central government, if some governors can meet and take decisions that are against the Constitution?

We also call on the President to step aside or for Nigerians to put heads together and elect a credible president in 2023, a leader with focus and competence. Nigeria should get a leader with a good example, who is ready to sacrifice his life for his subjects.”

Politics

Miyetti Allah threatens continued food blockage over persecution of herdsmen in South-West

No Comments

The Miyetti Allah has said that the blockade of cattle and foodstuffs to the South West through Kwara State will continue until the safety of Fulani is guaranteed in the region.

This disclosure was made by the coordinator of the Kwara State chapter of Miyetti Allah Association of Cattle Breeders, Aliyu Mohammed.

Speaking to newsmen after a crucial meeting of the association in Ilorin on Sunday, February 28, Mohammed said the action is a warning shot to ensure a peaceful operation of businesses by the Fulani and to end the harassment of the tribe in the south.

He also said not all Fulani are criminals, adding “Just as you have in any society where there are good and bad people.”

Mohammed insisted that “It is not only Fulanis that commit crimes in the country, but it was sad that everything happening now is heaped on Fulani herdsmen.”

The coordinator said the association was ready to fish out the bad eggs in their midst.

According to him, “We have concluded at our meeting today that anybody who comes to Kwara State claiming to be Fulani herder under questionable circumstances, will be reported to the security agencies for necessary action.

“Our vigilantes will monitor the bush and the forests where there are no security agencies and report suspected cattle rustlers who disguise as cattle herders to perpetrate crimes,” he added.

Mohammed appealed to the Federal government to arrest Sunday Igboho, who evicted the Fulani from Igangan in the Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, for the alleged destruction of their properties and killing of their people.

He, however, commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his statesmanship in accommodating and cooperating to ensure the safe landing of Fulanis in the state.

Close Menu
Exit mobile version

Privacy Policy