Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has said herdsmen were not ordered to leave Ondo State or any part of the South West region.
Chairman of NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said this while speaking to newsmen after a meeting with national leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) today January 25.
Recall that on Monday, 18, Governor Akeredolu ordered all unregistered herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves.
Read Also: Insecurity: Gov Akeredolu Orders Herders To Vacate Ondo Forest Reserves
The order generated a lot of controversies as many people interpreted it as the governor asking the Fulanis to vacate the state.
However, Governor Fayemi explained that the order pronounced by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was misconstrued by the media, particularly the social media.
According to Governor Fayemi, the meeting was called to resolve the issue of insecurity in the Southwest region of Nigeria
Some of the governors in attendance include Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, and Jigawa, and Kebbi states.
Fayemi added that Akeredolu didn’t talk about herdsmen vacating the state but about the registration of herdsmen who want to operate within the reserves.
He explained;
Many members of MACBAN were born in the South-West. So, Akeredolu cannot ask Fulani to vacate Ondo State. The area concerned is the forest reserves and it is about registration and also to work in line with the law.
What we are after is the criminals, not Fulani herdsmen, criminals are criminals irrespective of their ethnic group.
Conclusion of the meeting was yet to known as it is currently ongoing at International Culture and Events Centre in Akure, Ondo State capital.
