Governor Kayode Fayemi, says herdsmen were not asked to vacate Ondo State – blames the media

The chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, says herdsmen were not asked to vacate Ondo State.

He said this during the meeting between members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum on Monday.

Some of the governors in attendance include Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, and Jigawa, and Kebbi states.

In his welcome remarks, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said the meeting was called to resolve the issue of insecurity in the South-West.

He explained that the order pronounced by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was misconstrued by the media, particularly the social media.

He noted that Akeredolu had not ordered the Fulani to leave Ondo State

Fayemi said, “Many members of MACBAN were born in the South-West. So, Akeredolu cannot ask Fulani to vacate Ondo State. The area concerned is the forest reserves and it is about registration and also to work in line with the law.

“What we are after is the criminals, not Fulani herdsmen, criminals are criminals irrespective of their ethnic group.”

Fayemi said, “Many members of MACBAN were born in the South-West. So, Akeredolu cannot ask Fulani to vacate Ondo State. The area concerned is the forest reserves and it is about registration and also to work in line with the law.

“What we are after is the criminals, not Fulani herdsmen, criminals are criminals irrespective of their ethnic group.”

Governors of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Kebbi, and Jigawa States are currently holding a meeting with the national leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) at the International Culture and Events Centre in Akure, Ondo State capital.

The NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi in his welcome remarks highlighted some issues expected to be resolved at the meeting:

These include addressing issues of crimes and criminality, the framework of engagement with MACBAN on security; and creating alternative security network like Amotekun.

He added that the meeting is at the instance of the NGF and is not planned but necessitated by the exigencies of the present challenges of insecurity in the country.