President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja appealed for accommodation and tolerance among cattle herders and farmers throughout the country.
Speaking
at the State House when he received the leaders of the Miyetti Allah
Cattle Breeders Association on Nigeria, MACBAN, on a courtesy visit, the
President appealed for calm among all citizens, saying that his
government will give equal respect to all citizens irrespective of their
ethnic, religious and geopolitical backgrounds.
According to
President Buhari, “I appeal to all farmers and herders for restraint,
mutual respect and tolerance for one another as people destined to live
together in this great country. I appeal for patience and understanding
as the administration works towards lasting solutions to these
conflicts.”
He also urged the herders to support him in the task of bringing lasting peace to the country.
The
President called on state governors to work with the Minister of
Agriculture, who he said, had been mandated to work out a solution with
the states by which herders will have access to water for their
livestock, and farmers will have security against destruction of their
farmlands.
President Buhari attributed part of the conflict
between the two groups to the climate change phenomenon and population
explosion, but regretted that its politicization by selfish individuals
who did not mean well for the country did not also help matters.
He
emphasized that this conflict was neither religious nor ethnic, but one
that his administration has foreseen and warned about.
According
to the President, “Before the Benue and Taraba crises, I called the
Minister of Agriculture and the Governor of Central Bank and asked them
to work with the state governors on rediscovering the gazetted cattle
routes, clear of farmlands that had made for peace during the First
Republic.”
President Buhari expressed strong confidence that a
way around the problem will be found, working with the states which have
an important role to play in finding a lasting solution.
“Whatever
it will take, I am determined to bring peace between farmers and
herders. I urge you all to be patient and exercise restraint while we
are working for an enduring solution,” he stressed.
MACBAN, led
by Alhaji Mohammed Kiruwa, informed the President that the 20-million
strong body had sent the delegation to endorse his bid for a second term
of office on account of the administration’s achievements in office
which included, the successful clampdown on kidnapping and cattle
rustling; and the fight against terrorism and corrupt elements in the
society.
Alhaji Kiruwa said President Buhari’s personal qualities
of honesty, integrity and his unparalleled commitment to the unity and
progress of the nation, also informed his association’s support for a
renewal of his tenure.
Source:- Politicsngr
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