Ime Akpan
The Pan-Niger Delta Elders’ Forum (PANDEF) has urged governors of the Niger Delta states to collectively speak out and reject the federal government’s plan to establish Ruga or settlements for herdsmen.
In a statement issued by its national secretary, Dr. Alfred Mulade in Warri, Delta State on Thursday, PANDEF such plan “is capable of undermining the prevailing relative peace and security in the region.”
He said the move tends to corroborate the notion that that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government seeks to islamise the country.
“We therefore urge governors of the Niger Delta states to collectively also reject the programme, as it is capable of undermining the prevailing relative peace and security in the region.
“PANDEF considers those behind this idea as enemies of the country as the planned settlement could worsen the security situation in the country,” he said.
Mulade also stated that the planned settlements may heighten strife across the nation going by the murderous activities of the herdsmen.
Describing those behind the idea as enemies of the country, given the current precarious security situation, the group called on the federal government to do away with or it will vehemently resist its execution across the Niger Delta region.
“We call on the Federal Government to jettison its plan, as it is an invitation to chaos, and a prelude towards the islamisation of this country, which PANDEF is determined to resist, with all vehemence.
“Without any equivocation, PANDEF strongly condemns the programme and hereby states that there is no land anywhere in the Niger Delta Region for the establishment of such settlements for herdsmen.
“It is quite disturbing that in a democracy, the federal government would unilaterally decide the establishment of Ruga settlements or cattle colonies.
“It is necessary to note that the Land Use Act, enacted in 1978 to regulate land tenure and administration systems, and to ensure effective and equitable utilization of land and land resources in the country, vests all urban land within a state in the state governor, and all non-urban land in the local governments in which they are found.
“This disrespect to the rule of law with impunity and authoritarianism neither fits into the practice of democracy nor supports Mr. President’s recent recommendation of True Federalism for Nigeria.
“In fact, along with the re-submission of the Inland Waterways Bill and the approval of a Radio frequency for the establishment of Radio stations for herdsmen by the federal government, there is only one inescapable conclusion, and that is, Nigeria is towing a catastrophic destiny,” said Mulade.