The governor of Bauchi State, Mr. Bala Mohammed on Wednesday said he would not apologise to anyone over his stance on Fulani herdsmen arming themselves with AK 47 rifles.
Speaking during the official launching of the 2020/2021 annual livestock vaccination campaign held at the Galambi Cattle ranch in Bauchi, Mohammed said the Fulani are humble, simple, and humane.
“What I will do, I will not say it here, but I will do everything possible to make sure I protect you and lend support to you because I know you mean well.
“Through time and history, you have been seen to be cajoled, and lampooned but you remained humane, you remained simple, you don’t show so much aggression and of course, that humility is always what we recognized and this is what a character that should always try to show,” he said.
He maintained that he would not apologize for defending Fulani herders against alleged ethnic profiling of herdsmen.
Over the years, Mohammed said the Fulani have made so many sacrifices in their nomadic and pastoral life.
He said they provide the protein needs of the country through the supply of beef, milk, and other essential stuff.
“We kicked against the profiling of the Fulanis as killers and kidnappers. We have no apology for what we have done because what we have done is to say the truth, that there is no tribe or group that is free from criminality. We are not saying that to spite anybody or spark unnecessary controversy, we have made our point.
“Nigerians across the board has discussed it and I am happy to say that from all indications, the majority of sensible Nigerians have appreciated what we have said and that is the point. I therefore won’t need anything further on this matter for fear that controversy will be escalated. I will listen to voices of reason and keep quiet about it. I am calling on our brothers, the Fulanis to ensure that they make their communities free of criminality,” he said.
The governor, however, urged the Fulani to rid their communities of criminals among them and make efforts to show that majority of them are good citizens.
“They must make sure that they fish out the bad eggs from among themselves because criminality is criminality. In as much as we will protect them that they cannot be profiled badly, they should make efforts to show that majority of them are good citizens, contributing positively to the growth and development of Nigeria” he added.
Mohammed said that his administration will free resources that belong to the Fulani pastorialists so that they could have their own right of way, thereby reducing the conflicts between them and farmers.
He added that his administration was aware of the activities of Miyetti Allah and other Fulani organisations in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state, promoting the well-being of the pastoralists, wealth creation, and conflict mediation especially in the state and the nation in general.
