Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Wednesday, criticized the president’s reaction to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s order to Fulani herdsmen.
He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had didn’t protect the people and will allow governors take hold .
Akeredolu had told herdsmen occupying Ondo forests to vacate.
In a statement on Wednesday, Adams said as the chief security officer of the state, the governor had the duty to guard the lives and property.
The Yoruba leader called Garba Shehu’s reaction, a threat to the sanctity of Ondo and a deliberate plan to work against the state.
He maintained that the reserved forest was under the jurisdiction of the government .
“Garba Shehu/Presidency apparently doesn’t know the meaning of a reserved forest. It’s not accessible except to authorized personnel/loggers. aside from the place being an area for valued cash trees, it’s also meant as a haven of safety for protected animals against poachers.”
Adams noted that the herdsmen living within the forest aren’t only unauthorized, they might likely hamper trees to form fires and must also kill animals for food”.
“A reserved forest isn’t an area of residence for anyone, not even Ondo indigenes or farmers. it’s most unfortunate that such a press release is coming directly from the presidency, which in line with the constitution, has the prerogative to guard the people.”
He accused the Buhari administration of designing to foil the plan of the Ondo government to get rid of the bad elements masquerading as herders and pastoralists.
Adams cited security instances or killings, kidnappings and robberies.
“The governor’s convoy was attacked on two occasions. Two prominent Obas are kidnapped. a first class monarch was killed by bandits masquerading as Fulani herdsmen. A university lecturer was abducted. The daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti was murdered. Chief Olu Falae’s farm was invaded on four occasions, resulting in the death of 1 of our members, a security man.”
The high chief insisted that the governor’s decision is within the right direction and within the interest of the state.
Adams appealed to the Yoruba to support Southwest governors in their fight against insurgency across the region.
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