For the first time in Nigeria, citizens are witnessing the bizarre in terms of the relationship between the state and the Federal Government
As a stakeholder in the APC project, with a moral obligation to help the party, I can not refrain from commenting on the spat between the Ondo state government, and the Presidency on the issue of Fulani herdsmen and the seven days quit notice issued on Monday by the Governor of Ondo State, Ogbeni Rotimi Akeredolu for all herders to vacate all forest reserves in the state within seven days.
The primary aim of any government, federal or state is the protection of lives and property. Anything contrary can be said to be an abdication of the core responsibility of governance.
To this end, many Nigerians see the response of the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garuba Shehu to the order of the Ondo State Governor as a step too far.
In the first instance, Governor Akeredolu owes the people of Ondo State protection and is welcome to achieve that in whatever manner is possible, that was an oath he swore, and its his constitutional responsibility. Secondly, he does not have to take permission from any political general overseer to achieve this. He could only call in the federal government to assist and support if the situation gets out of hand.
But it is obvious that from the manner of intervention, if were going to analyse the statement by Garuba Shehu, the federal government has taken sides with the Fulani heardsmen already. This is far from the truth. Also, if the Governor’s directive can be flouted from Abuja, then, it makes him look like a tooless bulldog.
The question now is: was that President Muhamadu Buhari or Mallam Garuba Shehu Speaking? Many people are of the erroneous opinion that this crystallises the fact that there’s more to the relationship between the federal government and the Fulani hearders. If the federal government is going to hamper the Chief Security Officer of a state from doing the needful to protect its citizens,
I am worried that a wrong impression of President Muhammadu Buhari is being given to the country by his aides. We believe supporting and encouraging kidnapping and /or any form of criminality is never the intention of Mr. President.
I therefore suggest a more friendly engagement and collaboration devoid of belligerence in the handling of this seemingly volatile situation. What we need is a timely solution. Its time to mind our language.
(Written by: Dr. Tom Ohikere; a Media Consultant, Publisher and a stakeholder in the APC).
