Establishing radio for herdsmen, signs of another civil war – Afenifere warns

 

A Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the growing trend of insecurity in the country, particularly the attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen within the South West states, which the group stated that it was targeted primarily at non-Fulanis.

The group made this comment at a meeting on Monday at the residence of its National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Afenifere stated that the alleged backing of the herdsmen by government portends danger to the existence of the country as an entity.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the group emphasized that going by the past records of countries engaged in civil wars; it followed the current trend being experienced in the country, especially, the plan to establish a Fulani radio station in country.

The communiqué signed by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, appealed to the international community to come to the aide of the country, as the security situation was fast deteriorating, stressing that the herdsmen were in pursuit of expansionist agenda in the country.

The communiqué read:

“Genocide stalks Nigeria: Meeting reviewed the spate of wanton killings going on across Nigeria and being perpetrated largely by Fulani herdsmen/militia the only group that are in possession of unlicensed sophisticated weapons in Nigeria today without fear of any consequence as they seem to have official backing, promotion and defence.

“The killings targeted at non-Fulani groups across the country are wilful and deliberate in pursuit of expansionist and conquest agenda.

“And most unfortunately, the government in place has betrayed perceived complicity as we are not aware of any member of the group on trial for these monumental crimes even when Miyetti Allah has owned up to some of them.

“Instead, the regime has treated them with kid gloves, making excuses for their crimes with our Information Ministry and Presidential media office being made to look like Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah media centre as they issue statements to defend these groups even when they are not defending themselves with the presidency equating Miyetti Allah with Afenifere and Ohanaeze in order to confer legitimacy on them.

“And of late, is the insensitive and impunity inspired decision of the FG to open a Fulani Radio for the herdsmen in violation of the Federal character spirit of our constitution.

“Those who have studied events in Liberia, Somalia, Rwanda and Sudan would not miss the fact that this was how events started until full-scale civil wars broke out.

“To avert this destructive scenario, we call on the Federal Government to immediately readdress its priorities in these matters and begin the process of running an inclusive country while re-defining law and order so that no citizen would take the life of another and not fear for consequences.

“We equally call on the international community not to stand aloof as Nigeria drives to the edge of the precipice. There is a big burden for the global community if things get out of hand in Nigeria.”

While urging the Yoruba nation to fortify itself against what it described as looming civil war, the group commended the former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Wole Soyinka among others for their stance against the menace of the suspected herdsmen in the country.

“Yoruba land under serious Siege: Meeting also frowned at the activities of the Fulani marauders all over Yorubaland in form of killings, kidnappings and rape of women. The situation has become much more frightening with the claim by a recently kidnapped Don at OAU.

“Meeting advised our people to activate their traditional and communal self-defense system in the face of these existential threats.

“We commend Obasanjo and other patriots: The Assembly took note of the recent statements by former President Olusegun Obasanjo crediting the wave of terror going on Nigeria by Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah in Nigeria to the Fulanisation project in West Africa. We commend his boldness in speaking the truth no matter how inconvenient it may be, which is the hallmark of a statesman.

“We also acknowledge the forthrightness of the Nobel Laureate,Prof Wole Soyinka,Gen David Jemibewon ,Col David Bamigboye ,Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF),Middle Belt Forum and all other patriots who have backed Obasanjo’s statement. Meeting equally endorsed the Yoruba Summit Group position on insecurity in Yorubaland.

“Afenifere states unequivocally that its only those who don’t wish Nigeria well and agents of destruction that would dismiss all these patriots as raising a false flag,” the communiqué read.