Governors reject Miyetti Allah’s push for vigilante group in southeast
-The southeast governors forum have rejected the establishment of northern vigilante group by the MACBAN in the zone
- According to the governors, any such demand by Miyetti Allah is a joke and not acceptable
- The Miyetti group earlier suggested that a northern vigilance group be established in the southeast
- The chairman of the governor's forum described Miyetti group's demand as a joke which is not acceptable
The southeast governors forum on Monday, June 24, kicked against demand by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) for establishment of a vigilante group in the southeast to protect their members.
MACBAN made the proposal during the southeast security summit held in Enugu. The summit was convened by the southeast governors’ forum to proffer solution to lingering clashes between herders and farmers in the region.
Premium Times reports that the chairman of the forum and governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi, stated this in a statement by his chief press secretary, Emmanuel Uzor.
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The statement read: “I find it extremely strange for anybody to think that none locals in any part of the country including southeast could be allowed to form vigilante outfit. The Miyetti Allah group may have made that suggestion, which I believe will never mean to form a vigilante in (the) southeast. (Whatever) is the meaning, no governor will allow that.
“Southeast governors have their local vigilantes working with security agencies. Any such demand by Miyetti group is a joke and not acceptable. Governors of South East are doing their best and we have no problems receiving insults from our people. It is the price for leadership.
“The important thing to us is the safety and well-being of our people. OPC and other pressure groups may not have found it fashionable to be insulting their leaders even when their leaders may not be saints.”
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Umahi further disclosed that his task is to develop Ebonyi state and contribute in rebuilding southeast and Nigeria.
“My calling is not to insult others. Have we been fairly treated? No. Can we solve the problem by hate speeches? For me, no.
"Nobody, no matter the level of pretence, can change my style of peaceful leadership. Ebonyi, in particular, has suffered so much, even in the context of the south east. We believe that we do not need hate speeches as a strategy to solve our problems.
“Finally, no Miyetti vigilante in southeast. No cattle ranch or colony, but, we must live peacefully with herdsmen that do not destroy our farm land, especially those that were born here and have lived peacefully with us. All southeast governors are together on this position.”
Legit.ng reported that the MACBAN called for establishment of northern youth vigilante body in the region.
On its part, the forum of southeast governors told MACBAN that they are not against cattle rearing, but pointed out that it was important to always have in mind that there are laid down rules for all forms of relationships.
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