The Ondo State Government has criticised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s response to its decision to order herdsmen out of the state’s forest reserves.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said the presidency’s response ”reeks of emotional attachment to the herdsmen”.
The Presidency had on Tuesday in a statement by Garba Shehu said Ondo State governor had no rights to ask the Fulanis to leave the state forests.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had asked herdsmen to leave the state’s forests within seven days due to increased activities of kidnappings and other crimes perpetrated in the forests.
The commissioner said Shehu’s statement is a brazen display of emotional attachments and it’s very inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.”
He said: “We need clearly defined actions on the part of the federal government to decimate the erroneous impression that the inspiration of these criminal elements masquerading as herdsmen is that of power. Our unity is threatened, no doubt.”
“It (statement) states in a breath that the governor fights crime with passion while it is prevaricating on the atrocities.
“The question is, are the herdsmen who are perpetrating murder, kidnapping and robbery more important than government and even the Federal Government in this case? Ethnic nationality and activism on the part of anyone hiding under the presidency or federal government is an ill wind.”
