. Say ‘South East will be raided and taken over by herdsmen’
The leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders of Nigeria has expressed shock over South East governors’ refusal to accommodate cattle rearing in the region.
Recall that the South East governors had at the weekend in Enugu, during their meeting, agreed that open grazing by the cattle breeders would not be tolerated in the zone by any reason.
Leader of the group, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, in a statement in Abuja , said that the decision was surprising to them considering the cordial relationship that had existed in the zone between the group and the five states government.
He said: “We of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders of Nigeria, South East zone, consequent upon the existing understanding we enjoy with our hosts, and in response to the latest stand by the South East Governors Forum, wish to reaffirm our confidence in the capacity of our host governors to encourage the growth of our legitimate trade in their geo-political zone.
“This explains our surprise at the latest stand of the governors, which, if implemented, will not only frustrate our people from carrying out our legitimate livestock rearing business in this part of the country, but might be suggestive of a kind of suspicion that might undermine the mutuality of the claim of brotherhood.”
According to him, “Since they are claiming to be stubborn, and had refused to give us their lands in peace, it will be taken by force and entire South East will be raided and taken over by herdsmen.”
He said Miyetti Allah had never failed to appreciate the commitment of the host governors in ensuring their safety, even in their rational insistence that their people must not infringe on the rights of indigenous farmers to cultivate and harvest their crops without any hindrance. He also said that it was an insult that the Igbo do not value anything that has to do with cow only their business and money and yet they eat cow meat.
Siddiki said: “It is evident that our organization’s advocacy for peaceful coexistence among indigenous farmers and herdsmen is increasingly making successes in the South East.
“We are mindful if the various negotiations and consultations still going on in respect of the contentious issues of ranching, colonies and grazing areas across the country, we are hopeful that these issues are considered dispassionately in the interest of Nigeria and the generality of its citizens.
“It is a very trying period in the history of Nigeria and it is our candid view that the South East whose citizens are the major bonding elements among the people of Nigeria, would provide exemplary leadership in accommodating other Nigerians in their midst, in so far such persons are legitimately engaged in their economic pursuits.