Sack Defence Minister Now, Afenifere Tells Buhari
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately remove the Minister of Defence Brig Gen Mansur Dan Alli (rtd) for justifying the killings of Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen.
Afenifere after its expanded meeting held in Akure, Ondo State also called on the President to urgently reorganize the country security architecture so as to reflect the diversity of the country.
The group demanded immediate disarming of all Fulani herdsmen carrying AK 47 all over Nigeria.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the group noted that the current situation where 16 out of 17 service chiefs in the country are from a section of the county is unhealthy and promoting clannishness in dealing with security issues in a multi-ethnic nation.
Reading the communiqué, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said,” Afenifere rejects cattle colonies as the concept is offensive, repugnant, and an affront on the rights of non-Fulani communities across in Nigeria as their lands would now be forcefully acquired and be subjected to an alien culture and rule in the name of cattle rearing.
According to Odumakin, “Yoruba people would not allow any colony on their land as we are a free people and anyone who wants to raise cow within our space should do ranching.”
Odumakin said, the only solution to the problems confronting the nation is the immediate restructuring of Nigeria into a proper federation with the federating units having their own police to guarantee internal security and law enforcement.
His words, “These killings and arsonist attacks now wear the garb of state approved given the loud silence of the president over these dastardly acts and in fact asking the Governor of Benue state to find accommodation with the killers .
“The IGP of Police has also said that the killers are Nigeriens while the Minister of Defence has blamed the killings on the promulgation of anti open-grazing law and the blockage of grazing routes in an official sanctioning of the horrendous killings.
“Nigeria today has become a primitive and barbaric enclave as the state is either complicit or unwilling to stop these dastardly acts
“We call on the President to rise up to the challenge of his office by addressing the nation directly on these developments that threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria and ensure the killings are stopped and the perpetrators brought to book.
“We call on the government to put a halt to the culture of repression going on in the country and for the government to realize that we are in a constitutional democracy where the rule of law should prevail.
“Above all, we ask Yoruba entrepreneurs to venture into ranching to produce cows for domestic consumption and exportation.
“We call for a collective rescue effort by patriots across Nigeria in organizing and mobilizing effectively for a movement around Federalism that can save Republic from collapse and put Nigeria back on track and guarantee security of lives and property and prosperity for all Nigerians.”
