Asaba Resolutions: Northern Groups Lash Out at Southern Governors, Tell Herdsmen What to Do
- Following the Asaba declaration, the Coalition of Northern Groups has told herdsmen living in the south to relocate to the north
- The group said the resolutions by the southern governors blamed herdsmen entirely for the security crisis in the region while leaving out IPOB/ESN
- The ESN also advised the FG and northern governors on what to do to accommodate the affected herdsmen as they relocate from the south
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has reacted to the resolutions reached by the governors from Southern Nigeria at a meeting recently held in Asaba, Delta state.
Among others, the southern governors had put a ban on open grazing in their states, noting that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the region has presented a severe security challenge.
Source: Twitter
However, in a statement released on Sunday, May 16, the CNG said the southern governors unfairly profiled the entire business community of herders as the sole cause of the security challenges in the region, The Punch reported.
The group also accused the governors of deliberately leaving out the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) among others in identifying causes of security challenges in the region.
Legit.ng gathers that the CNG also accused the southern governors of failing to attribute the current national problems to the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
What herders, other northerners should do
Following the Asaba declaration, the CNG categorically called on all pastoralists other northerners in the southern region to immediately relocate with their livestock assets to the north.
The group also demanded absolute guarantee of protecting the lives and property of the pastoral communities as they relocate to the north.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) also backed the CNG's statement asking Fulani herdsmen living in the various southern states to relocate to the north if their safety can no longer be guaranteed, Thisday reported.
What FG, northern states should do
The CNG has also asked the federal and northern states governments to immediately identify suitable lands across the region and create grazing reserves and cattle routes.
It advised the government to take advantage of the extant provisions of the Land Use Act and other related laws to come up with the recommended grazing reserves and cattle routes.
Nigerians react
Badmus Gbenga Anuoluwapo said:
"The outcome of the Southern Governors meeting didn't say the Northerners should leave the South, they said they don't want open grazing anymore so how is that an issue?
"What's there is buying land from each southern government and use for ranching but no the herders just believe they can hijack people's land and farm to feed their cows."
Richard Chi said:
"Cow business should be private not a national issues, no country practice open grazing in this 21century."
Idiki Kuku said:
"We stand with our government and our governors. No more open Grazing. No to cattle colony. No to Ruga.
"If u can't let us rear pigs in the North or trade in Alcohol that does no damage to you or your people, then u cannot force us to accommodate your rampaging criminal minded herdsmen."
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Southern governors to meet Buhari
Meanwhile, southern governors may meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the Asaba resolutions after his return from the official trip to France.
A source in the Southern Governors’ Forum reportedly confirmed that arrangements were being made for the governors to present the resolutions at their meeting in Asaba, the Delta state capital, to the president.
Source: Legit.ng
