FG’s radio station for herdsmen is illegal, unconstitutional —Falana, Rotimi-Williams, Ubani, others

Criticism and condemnation are mounting against the decision of the Federal Government to establish a radio station to exclusively serve Fulani herdsmen.

Senior Advocates of Nigeria and a communication expert told Saturday Tribune that the move was not only patently illegal and unconstitutional, but the consequences for the nation’s economy would be dire.

Three senior lawyers, Femi Falana, Ladi Rotimi-Williams and Monday Onyekachi Ubani, all ruled the decision illegal, because there was no evidence of due process in sourcing and securing public fund for the project.

They all also agreed that constitutionally, the policy might be breaching critical provisions of the rule book, regarding what the central government should be involved in.

Falana in particular has a lot of harsh words for those trying to resolve criminality with preachment.

He said: “It is illegal, to the point that it was not budgeted for and I also agree that there are languages deemed official. But beyond that, it is totally misleading to want to settle the issue of criminality by preaching to those carrying arms. You can’t resolve the issue of people carrying guns by establishing a radio station. The only solution to the herders issue, is scientific and that solution is ranching like they do in Kenya, Mozambique and even Botswana, a country with a population of 1.76 million people and 2.8 million cattle.

“The herders don’t move around, because it is primitive and dangerous to allow cattle from Sokoto to Lagos.

“The children of the herders even go to school within the ranches and they are the largest producers of meat in Africa. To end violent clashes, no radio station can do it. The encroachment of Sahara desert forced them to move to the South. But there is also Kalahari desert in Botswana but because of ranches, there is no Fulanization allegation. They didn’t establish radio station. Our history doesn’t not support what the government is saying now. Ahmadu Bello’s ranch was in Mokwa, Awolowo’s ranch was in Akunnu in Ondo State, while Zik established the one in Obudu.

“The military destroyed the ranches, created grazing zones, which have been stolen by absentee farmers, many who are generals. Under the Jonathan administration, young people were sent to Botswana to study ranching and were not engaged when they completed their training. There was a certain  N100 billion under Jonathan meant for ranches, which nobody can explain the whereabouts today. Buhari’s administration acquired 55,000 hectares in 11 states for ranches, not a single one has been established. This problem is self-inflicted and it can only be scientifically resolved through ranches.

Those who are claiming that there are 1,000 Fulani settlements in the South-West, should please help the people by exposing those settlements, because the claim is doubtful since no one has seen any.

“The Buhari administration is to be fully blamed for abandoning the rule of law, which has created room for bandits, terrorists, armed robbers and kidnappers, to terrorize our people and Section 14 of the constitution says security and welfare of Nigerians shall be the primary purpose of government.”

For Rotimi-Williams, the move is unconstitutional. “The money, will it come through parliament? They have to budget for it. They can’t take money from the treasury without budgeting. It will be divisive. If the Fulani have a radio station, that means Afenifere should have, Ohanaeze should have and we are talking about one Nigeria. If Zamfara wants to speak in Fulani tongue, that may be understandable, but not the Federal Government. Were money even appropriately appropriated for it, the people’s representatives can still kick against it. Even if budgeted for, it is still unconstitutional. It is wrong, illegal and unconstitutional.

“It means we have no confidence in the constitution, that is why we are doing what we are doing. Maybe we should go bak to regionalism, when everybody had their constitution. Boko Haram is an Islamic body. Fulani herdsmen are Muslims or have you heard of Salvation Army or Jehovah witnesses setting fire to mosque? We are not learning anything because history isn’t being taught. We are not going the right way and they are attacking Obasanjo because they don’t like him. They may not like him, but we should look at the message, not the messenger. If you don’t like OBJ, what about Soyinka, he is saying the same thing.”

Ubani’s worry is about the divisive way the government he voted was going.

“My advice is that governments should not divide the country. We should be careful with policy statements. The objective of the radio station isn’t clear. This is the people who have been killing. Would you open a radio station for Boko haram, IPOB, Niger delta militants?

“Who budgeted for the radio project? The objective should be well explained, before people start thinking it is legitimate to cause crisis and havoc and get government to give you what you want. What are they encouraging, that people should break the law? There is so much suspicion in the system.

“We should be a bit more sensitive. I voted for this government and I don’t want it to further polarize the nation. If you are pleasing one section and displeasing others, that can’t be a unifying policy or government.”

An economic expert, financial consultant and Chief Executive  Officer of Wealthgate Advisor, Mr. Adebiyi Adesuyi, stated that the advent of the proposed ethnic radio station, Fulani Radio, will be of dire consequence to the nation’s economy; when it eventually begins operations.

Adesuyi, in an interview with Saturday Tribune, stated that one of the implications of the radio station, is that it would be run with the tax payers’ funds.

“This is particularly worrisome, going by the fact that at this point in time, government should have no business in running any business enterprise, especially at a time when its resources have continued to dwindle. Its focus ought to be about creating that enabling environment for business to thrive,” he argued.

-Saturday Tribune