HERDSMEN INSECURITY : CIVIL SOCIETY TACKLES BAUCHI GOVERNOR ON RIGHTS TO CARRY ARMS.






By Esosa Omorogbe.




As the issue and face-off between farmers and herdsmen intensifies in the southern part of Nigeria, with statements credited to top government officials backing the normards to carry arms, Nigerians have continue to express reservation and criticism  about such statements. 
The recent statement by Bauchi governor, Bala Mohammed, to the effect that "herdsmen have the right to own and carry around AK47 rifles for protection of their cows" was the subject of a world press conference addressed by the Foundation for Good Governance and Social Change (FGGSC) in Benin- City.

According to the press brief as addressed by Comrade Austin Osakue, the Executive Director, Foundation for Good Governance and Social Change (FGGSC),  "The statement is reckless, provocative, divisive and unbecoming of the status of a governor in a pluralistic society like Nigeria. 
Comrade Osakue said  "the statement has the potential of exacerbating the ethnic and religious tension across Nigeria as well as elevates the  status of cows far and above that of Nigerians."

  The Foundation for Good Governance and Social Change (FGGSC), said "the statement credited to Bauchi State governor is capable of opening the floodgates of self-help for Nigerians of other ethnic divides and geographical zones to resort to self-help and arm themselves. Stressing "that the President Buhari's federal government has not reprimanded the Bauchi's governor so far paints a scenario of the voice of Jacob but the Hand of Esau." 

 "How can one ethnic group constitute so much threat to the rest of Nigeria? Who are their backers. Why have repeated calls for ranches fallen on deaf ears?" 
Comrade Osakue then "called on the Buhari government to consult the history books. If it does, it will discover that the exact same events which led to the thirty-month civil war between 1967 and 1970 are playing out now. Those who fail to learn from history will be forced to repeat it."
#SPARKNEWSNAIJA(SNN)
08180442222(WhatsApp Only)

Comments