The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore says that Fulani herdsmen are not enjoying the Nigerian federation and will be better off alone.
National Secretary of the group, Saleh Alhassan who spoke against the backdrop of ethnic tensions in Oyo and Ondo states said it was high time the Federal Government restructured the country and allowed the Fulani to leave Nigeria.
He stated that the Fulani people would be protected if they were on their own.
Restructuring of the country has been on the front burner in recent months; while the Southern elite have been largely in support of the idea, the north has been divided on the subject.
Some of the issues that have driven the narrative are resource control, fairness and the allegations of killings, invasion of farmlands and people’s properties, kidnapping and other criminal activities against some herdsmen.
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Reacting to the quit notices issued against Fulani herdsmen in Ondo and Oyo states, Alhassan said, “We don’t support crime. So, I’m not saying there are no Fulani that are criminals, there are, like other tribes, but don’t destroy their profession. It’s not good for the country. If everything busts, it’s to the advantage of the herders because we are not even enjoying the federation.
“We are even bidding for restructuring of the country; let every part go, so we can say this is where we are. As it is now, there is no form of marginalisation we are not seeing in this country. Everywhere we are being marginalised. You think we will accept Nigeria where we don’t have access to land to feed our animals and you think there will be peace?”
Speaking on if restructuring would serve the Fulani interest, Alhassan said, “Quite fundamentally. If we leave today now and if there is no oil revenue, won’t they pay attention to animal rearing? If we restructure the country and the South-West region says they won’t accept cattle unless they are brought to the market or supermarket, it’s okay by us.
“The mistake people make is that they think when they put pressure on herders they are getting at President (Muhammadu) Buhari. Buhari has no relationship with the herders. That is the truth. When people say he is our grandpatron, was Jonathan from the South-South not our grandpatron?
“If the President is a Fulani, it doesn’t in any way affect the life of a herder. In fact, they are worse off under Buhari. What are they benefitting? They don’t access any government facility or social amenity, yet they are responsible for the bulk of animal protein we produce in this country. I think it’s deliberate for people to think otherwise.
“Buhari has not done anything for us other than creating enemies for us. Herders are being chased around. Let us look at the larger picture and not allow enemies penetrate us. If Buhari loves the herders, he would have created the grazing reserves for them.”