The Coalition of Oduduwa Elders has warned the Presidency against interfering with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s quit notice issued to herders in Ondo forest.
Th elders, in a statement said the comment by the presidency asking the governor to rescind his ultimatum was an interference with the governance issues in Ondo.
Akeredolu had given a seven days ultimatum to herders in Ondo forest to quit the place or face prosecution.
But the presidency, through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, asked the governor to rescind the order.
But the Yoruba elders warned the presidency against meddling in the internal affairs of Ondo state after failing to protect the people.
National Coordinator of the Elders, Dr Tunde Aremu and National Secretary, Barr. Mrs Folake Ajasin, in a statement asked the governor not to be distracted by actions of those they said have failed to safeguard the lives of Nigerians but to be firm and decisive in his actions aimed at giving Ondo people safety.
“We, the Yoruba elders under this noble umbrella body known as Coalition of Oduduwa Elders have watched with great concerns the turn of events in the South West, especially in Ondo culminating in the notice to herders to quit forests by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
“We have equally painstakingly watched the rushed statement by the Presidency through one of its spokesmen, Mallam Garba Shehu, cautioning the governor against his action and instead, declaring that the people who have been identified to be responsible for kidnappings, banditry and killings in the state cannot vacate the areas they use to carry out their nefarious activities.
“This is strange to us given that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vested certain powers on state governors as chief security officers of their respective states on certain steps they can take to safeguard the lives of citizens and their property. Akeredolu, to the best of our knowledge is a sitting governor of Ondo State. Until he is out of office, he has the constitutional mandate to device the best ways possible in giving his people who voted him into office good and quality leadership.
“The quit notice to herders to leave Ondo forests is one of those steps he has taken to protect the citizenry. So, we ask the Presidency to leave him alone,” the elders say.
