The South-East Governors Forum has embargoed bringing cows through the bush paths to the region.
The resolution is contained in a statement by the director general of the forum, Prof. Simon Ortuanya.
According to Ortuanya, the agreement was reached with herders staying in the southeast.
He said the forum resolved that movement of cows into the zone should be strictly by road, using trucks to their specific cow markets and not through the bush.
“We will no longer allow foreign herdsmen to bring their cattle into our geopolitical zone through the bush paths by foot because this is what always cause conflict between our people and the herders,” said the statement.
Ortuanya also disproved the rumours that the southeast governors had secretly donated land for Ruga settlements for herders.
“The fact remains that no southeast governor has donated any land or intends to donate any land for any of the two programmes for lack of enough land in the entire southeast.
“Governors of southeast appreciate the fact that we have good and law-abiding herdsmen who have been living with us; some of them were even born here. We have been living in peace with them until recently when we started witnessing invasion of our land, kidnapping of our people, killing of defenceless natives and destruction of their farmlands.
“These herdsmen that have been living peacefully with us together with the natives have insisted that this evil as now experienced in our land are the handiwork of herdsmen moving from other states into South-East and most of the time, these herdsmen are not even Nigerians.
“We will not chase away herdsmen who are peaceful and have been living peacefully with us in the South-East.”
The governors also resolved not to donate any land for the rural grazing area (Ruga) or the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP).
“We are committed to selling grasses and by-products of our farms to support the NLTP for states that have keyed into the programme.
“We ask all our people living outside the southeast especially in the North to ignore the threat contained in the video message by self-styled northern youths. We are in talks with the northern governors and leaders who speak for their people and they have assured us that there is no harm that will befall our people living in various northern states across Nigeria.
“Finally, we advise those beating the drum of war to remember our mothers and children and have a rethink. In a state of war, even your friends could become your enemies. Let us bond together as one people and start to think on how to rebuild our youths whose future we ate up in the time past, rebuild our nation whose patriotism we ignored in the time past and love one another,” said the forum.
Meanwhile, the presidency has asked Nigerians not to worry about the 30-day ultimatum issued by the Coalition of Northern Group’s over the Ruga settlement project.
It would be recalled that spokesman for the CNG, Mr. Abdul-Azeez Suleiman had, following the federal government’s suspension of the Ruga scheme declared that there will be no peace in the country if herdsmen are not allowed to move freely in any part of the country.
He issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Nigeria government and governors opposed to the Ruga settlement programme to reverse their decisions.
He said the debate to accept or not to accept the program is already causing disaffection for herders who are of Fulani extraction.
“While we warn all state governments that stand against the implementation of the Ruga Initiative to desist and give peace a chance, we place President Buhari and the Federal Government on notice that they must completely stop this raging madness within 30-days…” said Suleiman.
The senior policy adviser (agriculture interventions coordination) in the office of the vice president, Dr. Andrew Kwasari, said advised Nigerians to discard the ultimatum and asked the CNG to respect the office of the president which suspended the programme in the national interest.
The presidential aide stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja during a training session organised for the executives of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and its officers in eight states considered as flashpoints.
“I think the president has the overwhelming support and his decision has resonated with the majority. I think we should not worry about the threats. They don’t earn my respect in anyway, I can’t support them. My support is for the president and the people of Nigeria.
“Their threat is divisive; I think these people should listen to the majority of this country and above all, accord respect to the office of the President, if they are true citizens of this country.
“The president took the decision to suspend the Ruga policy in the interest and common good of all Nigerians. Are we supposed to be concerned about rallying around the President who has taken a decision or a portion of society that feels otherwise for whatsoever reason? I don’t know whatever evidence that they have,” he said.
