Media misrepresented Akeredolu, he didn’t tell herdsmen to leave Ondo forest –Fayemi

The governor of Ekiti State, and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Dr Kayode Fayemi has stated that the ‘quit notice’ purportedly issued by his Info State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu was misrepresented by a section of the media.

The NGF chair stated this after a meeting held with the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), security agencies and other stakeholders on Monday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The meeting was called to find lasting solutions to the incessant killings, kidnapping and crises between herdsmen and farmers in the Southwest geo-political zone of the country.

The meeting resolved among other things that:

“The security and welfare of the people of Nigeria is the primary purpose of government as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“The stakeholders are committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.

“Insecurity is a national challenge and not peculiar to any tribe or region and must be addressed by the cooperation of all.

“The order of the Ondo State Governor was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of the media. He only ordered those occupying the Forest Reserves in Ondo State illegally to quit.

READ ALSO: Defiant Akeredolu insists only registered persons would be allowed to use forest reserves

“Criminals should be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class, or status.

“There is the need to build a partnership for peace and security with MACBAN (Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria) and jointly wage war against criminality.

“No one had sent anyone away from any state or region but all hands must be on deck to fight criminality.

“MACBAN is a peace-loving and law-abiding organization that does not habour or condone criminals.”

The meeting also agreed that night grazing and under-age herding should be banned and occupation of state forest reserves illegally is condemned.

They equally agreed at the meeting that “MACBAN also suffers insecurity and kidnapping and thus desire peaceful coexistence.

“MACBAN is ready for any peaceful move by the states to engender security.”

“Fake news is another issue that makes our security worse than solving it,” it added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now