Herdsmen: Response To Akeredolu, Emir of Muri’s Quit Notices Shows Buhari Govt’s Duplicity – THISDAY Editorial

A Nigerian daily, THISDAY has said that the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s silence to the quit notice issued by the Emir of Muri in Taraba State, Abbas Tafida, against herdsmen has shown the administration’s duplicity.

The paper said in an editorial published today that it was telling that the same presidency that castigated Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, over a similar matter, suddenly went silent when a Fulani man was involved.

Recall that Emir Tafida had on July 21 issued the ultimatum following a rising spate of kidnappings, killings, and attacks in the state by criminals suspected to be herders.

The Emir alleged that Fulani herders were responsible for perpetrating crimes in the state and should therefore vacate forests in the state within 30 days or be forced out.

“There is no way we will keep having sleepless nights in our own homes. The poverty we are contending with is enough for us to deal with,” he said.

There has been no official response from the presidency.

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In January, Akeredolu issued a seven day ultimatum for herdsmen to vacate Ondo forests, noting that activities of the herdsmen had long been causing a threat to security in the state.

In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the presidency described the governor’s ultimatum as unconstitutional.

In its editorial, THISDAY said, “Even if the emir spoke out of frustration in a speech that may trigger jungle justice and consequent reprisal attacks, the anger is not out of place.

“But the surprise is that the federal government has kept mute despite the tension the speech has created in security circles.

“A similar order in January this year by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to criminal herdsmen occupying some forests in Ondo State generated howls of controversy.

“Both the Presidency and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation condemned the governor that he had no right to issue such statement. In fact, they practically asked the band of bandits to stay in the forests and continue with their nefarious activities.

“This is the kind of duplicity that has become the trademark of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.”