It was with a shocking disbelief that the people of Ondo State and the youths in particular, read the labelling of our Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu as a thug by the Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Saleh Alhassan immaturely resorted to hurling verbal insults on Governor Akeredolu for spearheading the anti-open grazing move in the entire southern Nigeria and for signing the Ondo State Anti-open Grazing Bill into law.
The youths of Ondo State take total exception to the above the law disposition of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Association. It is a general knowledge that Governor Akeredolu
was elected by his people to protect their interests and it is surprising therefore, that Miyetti Allah feel uncomfortable with the governor’s step in the enactment of anti-open grazing law.
Youths of Ondo State are indeed disturbed by the reckless conduct and grave security threat posed to Nigerians by Miyetti Allah since the present government came into power. It is even more worrisome that those in position of power have not for once deemed it necessary to reign-in the leadership of Miyetti Allah Association.
There is need to educate the leadership of Miyetti Allah and their backers that cattle rearing is strictly a private business. So long as a cocoa farmer in Ondo State would not travel to any of the northern states to forcefully take over lands for cocoa cultivation; there is no reason therefore, why cattle herders should destroy with impunity the crops of farmers in a bid to get food and water for their cattle.
Moreso, the youths of Ondo State are particularly worried that the leadership of Miyetti Allah have not realize the need to purge the association of criminals. It is also noted with regret that countless incidences of rape, murder and kidnapping are being perpetrated on a daily basis by some criminal herders while the Miyetti Allah Association leaders have chosen to look the other way.
The height of impunity by Miyetti Allah Association is to describe a sitting Executive Governor of Ondo State as a thug. The arrogance, recklessness and above the law conducts of Miyetti Allah truly suggest that the association enjoys undeserved backing that can never be in the best interest of our country.
The peaceful youths of the Sunshine State demand that the backers of Miyetti Allah should reign-in the association’s leaders. The security situation in Nigeria is bad enough at this time and it is only a matter of common sense that no association should be allowed to worsen the bad situation with unguided, disparaging and demeaning utterances.
What we desire at this time is a Nigeria where there will be equity, respect for the rule of law and where security of lives and properties will be guaranteed. It is our considered opinion that the reckless conducts and preposterous demand of Miyetti Allah Association can only consign Nigeria to an irreversible backward slide.
Signed :
Oluyemi Fasipe
Ondo State Youth Representative
