By Becky Adi
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has clarified its earlier position on the directives issued by the Ondo state governor Rotimi Akeredolu that Fulani Herders should vacate the states forest reserve.
Recall that the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had asked herdsmen grazing on Ondo forest reserves to ignore Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s order asking them to vacate the forest reserves within seven days.
The governor had on Monday, January 18, 2021, issued a seven-day ultimatum to herders citing the rising cases of insecurity in the state.
Akeredolu said “bad elements” have turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping and negotiating for ransom.
But in his reaction to Akeredolu’s directive in a statement on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum described the governor’s order as provocative and unhelpful directing the Fulanis to stay put.
Baba-Ahmed said if there are criminal elements among the Fulani who live in Ondo state, Akeredolu should identify them and deal with them rather than profiling and demonising the ethnic group.
But speaking on a television programme on Friday, Akeem Baba-Ahmed, the Director of Publicity and Strategy of the Northern Elders Forum said the Fulani should obey the directives since the Ondo state government has given further clarification.
He added further that if the governor has the powers under the law to give such directives it should be obeyed. He noted that the Fulani are subject to all laws and regulations and must respect the communities with which they live and interact. “What is dangerous and unacceptable is to profile and demonize the Fulani and treat him outside the laws of the land like all other Nigerians”. He said
He however expressed concern over the 7 days ultimatum wondering how the governor expects the Fulani herders who have been living in these forest to pack and leave within seven days with their cattle. “where would they go to, the action is punitive?”
