The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has faulted the decision of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and others to issue eviction notices to Fulani herdsmen in the South West and South East region.
He reprimanded the governors over how they have handled the farmer-herder clashes thus far, accusing them of not being accommodating to other tribes.
Bala also faulted the quit notice given to Fulani herders particularly in Ondo State, declaring that “southern governors are wrong.”
“On the herders-farmers clashes, you have seen what our colleagues in the South-West are doing and some of them in the South-East. Some of us told them with all modesty and humility – you are wrong,” Mohammed said during a chat with journalists in Bauchi.
“We have Yoruba people in Bauchi for over 150 years, even before the birth of Nigeria. Nobody has told them to go; some of them have risen to become permanent secretaries in Gombe, Bauchi, and Borno,” Governor Mohammed added.
Akeredolu had on January 18, 2021, ordered Fulani herdsmen within forest reserves in Ondo State to vacate the area within seven days.
The Governor gave the order following incessant cases of killing, kidnappings, raping of women, destruction of farms, and other heinous activities in parts of the state.
Also, groups and activists in the South West and South East have issued separate quit notices to the herders to vacate their lands and Mohammed believes this is a wrong move.
“You should be very sensitive. We have to be careful,” Mohammed warned.
