The ultimatum given to Fulani herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in Ondo state by Gov Rotimi Akeredolu has, expectedly, continued to cause ripples across the country, for obvious reasons. The vacating order was tricky and very contentious, given that it came at a time the country is facing an existential threat. The discordant tunes, and the diverse response to such an order was capable of polarizing the country, and, different groups with vested interest jumping ship, rather maliciously to add to the raging inferno. Rightly so, the order has ignited the debate on the knotty issues on restructuring, federalism, regionalism, and to some extent, disintegration.
Nigeria had evolved over time, through different phases — from Amalgamation to colonialism and Independence. These distinct epochs, however, had varying degree of challenges. But, the most potent remains that of unity, cohesion and national integration.
60 years after Independence and political turmoil, the most needed ingredients for attaining nationhood — unity continue to elude the country. Ethnic, rather than national identity still remains the defining pathway in the polity. Ethnocentric and sociocultural groups like Afenifere, ACF, Ohaneze, Pandev, IYC, are seemingly a visible partner which stave off and atrophied any genuine effort in attaining nationhood.At any given opportunity, these groups, which are populated by mostly a generation which failed the country, are, quick to aggravate than quell any national incidence, or discourse. The composition of its leadership, are usually failed, and, sometimes aggrieved politicians, who had become a willing tools in the hands of political actors and agents of destabilization. The agenda they advance are oftentimes hinged not on unity and national integration, but parochial and other mundane sentiment, or interest.
In trying to decipher the tone of Governor Akeredolu’s directive, these pertinent questions must be raised, and answers provided to avoid misconceptions. Did he ask ALL Fulanis resident in Ondo state to leave, or only Fulani herdsmen? What will become of non Fulani herders? Did he ask those in the Government-owened forest reserves to vacate the area, or the state in entirety? Since non Fulani Northerners resident like the Hausas, resident in the state are hugely indistinguishable from the Fulanis, the ultimatum is most definitely a call to anarchy. These are obviously salient concerns, or questions which requires an elaborate clarifications.
Rather than douse the tension and seek clarifications, most of these ethnocentric groups went to town with all sorts of narratives, and twisted facts, which, could incite and instigate disharmony and further plunge the country into the abyss of disintegration. Afenifere, for instance demanded all southwest states to emulate Ondo Governor. Ohaneze, and Ipob advise southwest not to depend on federal government for protection or security. On her part, the ACF, ask Fulanis to ignore the directive, asking the Governor to deal with the criminal elements within them. Bizarrely, the Presidency, responded rather meekly citing only the unconstitutionality of such directive without addressing the immediate concerns.
Governor Akeredelu’s order was greeted with divergent views, to some, he was preventing a replica of the mayhem brought upon the northwest by the Fulani bandits. He did what a chief security officer of a state should, inorder to stem the rising case of insecurity and growing spate of criminality. Therefore, his action could not be faulted on the account of the foregoing as he was trying to shield his constituents from the Fulani Marauders whom had rendered the northwest inhospitable.
On the flipside, critics of his order, argued the action is capable of provoking a chain reaction as, some persons could take it upon themselves to expel non indigenes resident in their state, which could lead to anarchy. Citing constitutional rights of free movement anywhere within the country, his action could be null and void.In fairness to the Governor, as against the popular narratives, published in some Dailies, he only demanded that herdsmen should vacate the forest reserves. Clearly, motives for the twisted narratives by these groups is to incite violence against peaceful non southerners resident in the North.
On the whole, the Governor was taking a precautionary measure owing to the activities of some bad elements within their fold. But he should tune down his tone, and engage stakeholders and Fulani leadership in the state inorder to mitigate the challenge. Afenifere on her part should not politicize the security concerns. Calling on other states in the region to do same is a to call to anarchy.For instance, the spiralling effect of such action mentioned earlier has begun to manifest. In Oyo state, the Sarkin Fulani (Head of the Fulanis) Salihu Abdullahi was attacked by some Yoruba elements, and, according to some reports, three of his children were killed. This was coming on the heels of a call by a Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, asking all Fulani herders to vacate OYO state, obviously amplifying the earlier one made by Akeredolu.
Leadership should be accompanied by great wisdom, tolerance and apathy. While security concerns in the region are rising, the Governors should reach out to leadership of the Fulanis, engage and incorporate some into the Amotekun corps, that way, they could help fish out bad eggs in their fold. Issuing evicting and expulsion order is counterproductive as it could jeopardize the fragile harmony, and , stoke the embers of disunity and violent conduct.
The Eastern Security Network, is yet another grave concern which must not be ignored or wished away. Sociocultural groups across all the geopolitical zones ought to have been at the forefront in exploring ways of achieving nation cohesion, mutual trust and integration.The ACF and NEF should, as a matter of expediency tell themselves some home truth. Herders, whom had established bases in different Forest across the region, wreaking havoc on innocent people were treated with kid gloves. Had they been dealt with and sent out of their fortress, we probably would not be in this mess. Their hideout are well known, Forests like, Dansadau, in Zamfara, Kamuku and Kuyambana, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari axis, and Sabuwa, Katsina, are some of their abode, it was from these areas they keep rustled cows, plan attacks, and engage in destructive activities, daily.The Falgore Forest, along Kano – Tudun wada – Jos road, use to be a haven for herders, until Governor Ganduje came hard on them. He, along with security operatives entered deep into the forest and routed most of the criminals. This has restored sanity and put to an end, activities of the armed Fulani bandits.
Again, the singular effort of Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Dr Ahmad Gumi in bringing to an end armed banditry by Fulanis along kaduna-Abuja highway is worthy of emulation to say the least. Stakeholders must support his noble effort of sensitizing and disarming the bandits not only along the kaduna-Abuja expressway, but the entire troubled spots in the region. Sociocultural groups across the country, and ACF in particular should not live in self denial, but, must come clean and address the menace of herdsmen, as Government cannot go it alone. Anything short of this, is an open invitation to anarchy.
Mohammed is with the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University-Zaria. He writes from Kano[email protected]
