The Ogun State, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun,has reassured that his government will continue to accomodate people who have legitimate business in the state.
The government according to Governor Dapo Abiodun will not condone any act of criminality that may threaten the unity and tranquility being enjoyed by the people of the state.
Governor Abiodun, who stated this at a stakeholders parley on farmer-herder conflict held at the Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, wondered why people who had lived together for years are now turning against each other.
Governor Abiodun said the priority of the government is the safety of lives and property of everyone in the state, irrespective of ethnic or religious colouration, adding that the government will not fold its arms and allow criminality to thrive in the state.
The Governor explained that the meeting was put together to find a lasting solution to the crisis, believing that the presence of all the parties involve will give room for detailed discussion on the way forward.
“The presence of Governors from other states indicates a joint commitment to the peaceful resolutions of the conflict , expressing optimism that at the end of the parley participants will come up with viable recommendations towards ensuring continued and peaceful coexistence among the people of the state,He said”.
The Governor therefore called for collective action among residents, whether as native ,farmers,cattle owners, herders,local community leaders, security agents and others to rid the state of criminals.
On his part, the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, attributed the farmer-herder clashes to encroachment, poor education and poverty among the herders among others, called for the stoppage of moving cattle from the north to the south.
Ganduje described the crisis as an economic issue that is turning tribal and religious, calling on the Federal Government to assist herders transit from pastoral to modern ranching.
Governor Abubakar Sanni of Niger called for sincere actions to address the problem before it takes a new twist, noting that setting up of ranches was the best way to stop the crisis.
His Zamfara State counterpart, Alhaji Bello Mattawale recalled the activities of bandits in his state, regretting the loss of lives and destruction of property from the clashes.
The Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu said though Nigerians have a right to live in any part of the Country, there must be ways of identifying them and regulating their activities for peaceful co-existence.
The Chairman, Progressive Governors Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, called for a situation where the herders would stay in their respective states and allow those who need their cattle to come and buy from them.
He said the steps taken by Southwest Governors are not targeted at any group, but an attempt to prevent insurgency in the region, calling on the leadership of Miyetti Allah to expose (suspected) criminals among them so as not to give them bad name.
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