By Samuel Itsede
National Leader of Fulani Christian Association of Nigeria(FULCAN) Rev Buba Aliyu has called on President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal government to be wary of the activities of Arewa Pastors –a non denomination initiative for Peace, whose recent pronouncements it said is capacity of generating problems between the federal government and the leaders of Christian Association of Nigeria.
Rev Aliyu in a press statement in Jos, said the leader of Arewa Pastors Bishop Richard John’s recent utterances against the leadership of the Christian body in Nigeria has portrayed the leadership of CAN in bad light before President Buhari and the federal government while in the true sense of the word, the leadership of the Christian body has nothing against the federal government as it only gives a word of caution when necessary, to the Federal authority so that there will be peace in the polity.
Rev Aliyu disassociated himself from being a North East Coordinator for AREWA PASTORS wondering why he could be linked with Arewa Pastors who has refused to operate under the Leadership of Can.
According to him, the difficult time both Christians and Muslims are in, should be used by all to work as their brothers keepers and to team up with the federal government to bring about lasting peace in the North and other parts of the country not a period for anybody to cause bad blood between the government and CAN leadership.
He noted that both Christians, Fulanis and their Muslim brothers have for long coexisted peacefully with their host communities in Plateau and Benue states of the North Central states, stressing that whatever could be responsible for the recent disagreements and conflicts between them could be sorted out through dialogue.
Rev Aliyu also noted that the much talked about RUGA Policy of the federal government should be handled with caution and wisdom, warning that without peace, the Ruga settlement policy no matter how well intentioned will be an exercise in futility as the natives of the land will not buy the policy.
‘’ The Fulanis cannot live in isolation as they will find it difficult to live in these proposed settlements, so peace must be given a chance’’ Rev Aliyu stressed.
According to the Fulani Christian leader, if the federal government is interested in assisting his kinsmen Fulanis, government should sponsor their Children’s education so that after acquiring Western education, these Children will come back to teach other Fulani Children in need of Western education for their overall well being .
He appealed to nongovernmental organizations and spirited Nigerians to help in training the Children of Fulanis like others saying every tribe in this country can contribute meaningfully to the development of this country.
Rev Aliyu advised President Buhari to see Christian leadership in the North and at the national levels as partners in Progress and not allow himself to be deceived by Arewa Pastors leadership to believe that only them worked for the victory of President Buhari from the North during the 2019 Presidential elections in the country.
According to him,Fulani Christian Association of Nigeria and FULBE Outreach International, the two Christian groups which he is their leader, worked round the clock during the 2019 general elections to campaign for his kinsman President Buhari and advised President Buhari to be careful about those parading themselves within the corridors of power claiming to be working for the interest of the government.
