The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere has demanded the immediate sack of the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd) whom the group said justified Fulani herdsmen killings in the country in his utterances.
The group made this known in a communiqué it released at the end of its monthly meeting which held in Akure and read by its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin.
Prominent leaders at the meeting which held on Tuesday were: former governors of Ondo, Ogun and Kwara, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chief Cornelius Adebayo respectively.
Others in attendance were: Pa Ayo Adebanjo, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae; Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, Sen Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, Dr Olu Agunloye, Mrs Modupe Adesanya, Sen Femi Okurounmu, Dr Kunle Olajide, Chief Supo Shonibare, Segun Adegoke, Dare Babarinsa, Reuben Famuyibo, Prof Banji Akintoye and Chief Sola Ebiseni.
Afenifere also called for a reorganisation of the security infrastructure of Nigeria to reflect the diversity of the country, saying the current situation where 16 out of 17 service chiefs in the country are from a section of the county is unhealthy and promoting clannishness in dealing with security issues in a multi-ethnic society.
The group which held the meeting at the home of Afenifere’s leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti equally called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the disarming of all Fulani herdsmen going about with AK-47s all over the country.
Reading from thr communique, Odumakin said, “Afenifere reject cattle colonies as the concept is offensive, repugnant and an affront on the rights of non-Fulani communities across in Nigeria as their lands would now be forcefully acquired and be subjected to an alien culture and rule in the name of cattle rearing.”
He said restructuring the federation and giving states the right to have their own police force were the panacea to the security challenges in the country.
Odumakin added, “These killings and arsonist attacks now wear the garb of state approval given the loud silence of the president over these dastardly acts and in fact asking the Governor of Benue state to find accommodation with the killers.
“Nigeria today has become a primitive and barbaric enclave as the state is either complicit or unwilling to stop these dastardly acts.
“We call on the President to rise up to the challenge of his office by addressing the nation directly on these developments that threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria and ensure the killings are stopped and the perpetrators brought to book.
“We call on the government to put a halt to the culture of repression going on in the country and for the govt to realize that we are in a constitutional democracy where the rule of law should prevail.
“Above all, we ask Yoruba entrepreneurs to venture into ranching to produce cows for domestic consumption and exportation.
“We call for a collective rescue effort by patriots across Nigeria in organizing and mobilizing effectively for a movement around Federalism that can save Republic from collapse and put Nigeria back on track and guarantee security of lives and property and prosperity for all Nigerians.”