The Northern Governors’ Forum has called for calm following the suspension of the “Ruga” cattle settlement project.
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday suspended the implementation of the over N12 billion Ruga project meant to be created across the 36 states of the federation amidst scathing criticism that greeted the initiative.
The initiative, the presidency had argued, is a solution to the incessant cattle-farmer crisis.
But this did not go down well with some groups in support of the programme, who felt the president halted the projects as a result of the pressure mounted on the government.
One of such groups was the Coalition of Northern Group (CNG) which alleged gang up by some sections of the country and therefore gave the president a 30-day ultimatum to commence the implementation of the project across the country.
However, the northern governors have called all agitated groups to exercise restraint, while they engage with stakeholders on better way forward.
Chairman Northern Governors Forum Simon Lalong of Plateau state announced the forum’s position Thursday in a statement issued in Abuja.
They also called the coalition to allow the government handle the matter, assuring them that government would come out with a solution that would better serve the benefit is all.
The statement reads: “With the ensuing development following the announcement of the suspension of the Ruga: resettlement initiative by the federal government yesterday, it has become pertinent for me as chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum to make clarifications on the true position in order to calm nerves.
“We have acknowledged the varied responses that have been coming in throughout the hours after the announcement of the suspension which we see as part of the beauty of democracy which allows citizens to participate in shaping and moderating the functions of government with regards to matter of public interest.
“Meanwhile, we urge all stakeholders and all shades of interested parties, especially from the North, to remain calm and air their views democratically and decently while allowing the government chance to handle the matter.
“In the meantime, we are happy to announce that we are reaching out in engagement with major stakeholders in the matter particularly in the North, after receiving the position of the leadership of the Coalition of Northern Groups with the hope of getting the public to fully understand the whole concept and the wisdom behind the decision by the government.
“We acknowledge here the coalition’s concerns and in particular, its decency in urging the northern people to remain civil and resist the temptation to be drawn into anything untoward.
“We are reassured that the leadership of the coalition is genuinely and responsibly concerned with the betterment of the whole nation and with the well-being of the Northern region and people in particular, and that it will continue to work for calm and understanding.
“We assure everyone that at the end of the day, what is coming out of the suspension would turn out to be more beneficial and in the best interest of the whole nation.
“We are working on a complete package that comes with multi-sectoral and multidimensional benefits that would serve the interest of all both in the short and long terms. We once again urge for, understanding and cooperation from all.”
Miyetti Allah
Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said would not comment yet on suspension of the scheme.
MACBAN National Secretary Othman Baba Ngelzarma said the association would meet to review its position on the suspension before making a public comment.
“I cannot give a comment now on the decision concerning the suspension of the Ruga programme by the Federal Government because I don’t have any details yet.
“Apart from that we have to meet as an association and study the decision and review it properly before we will issue a statement to the consumption of the general public.
“I cannot say anything for now but maybe the decision of the federal government is as a result of complaints from different parts of the country.
“I don’t know yet because the details are still scanty to me and our association to take a stand on the issue as it has turned out.”
PFN wants national summit
But the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called for a national summit to discuss the Ruga scheme.
PFN General Secretary Nuhu Kure said this in Ibadan, Oyo state during a courtesy call on the association’s National Vice President, Bishop Wale Oke.
He said the federal government needed to have consulted widely before unveiling such a scheme.
Kure said: “The federal government should rather organise a national summit in the mould of a confab where stakeholders would converge and have the opportunity to iron out grey areas.
“We appeal to President (Muhammadu) Buhari to urgently find means to resolve this situation with fairness and equity in order to prevent a Nigeria that degenerates into a state of anarchy where pervasive lawlessness is the order of the day.”
He also called on the Kaduna state government to suspend “policies that are controversial and intolerant,” saying, “the governor should thread the path of reasoning in order not to cause disunity among Nigerians.”
In his remarks, Oke said the situation of the country was not beyond redemption, and therefore called for sincerity and commitment on the part of the people and the government.
Oke, the presiding bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, appealed to Christians to be law abiding and not to relent in their support for the nation both physically and spiritually. (NAN)
