Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, MACBAN Chairman, Bauchi State
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Bauchi State Chapter of the Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has threatened that it will stop its members from selling and supplying their cows to the Southern part of the country if the threat of ejecting the herders come through.
The threat was issued by MACBAN in Bauchi on Tuesday while addressing news men at the NUJ Press Center alleging that its members have been subjected to various forms of ridicule and rejection in the country.
MACBAN through its State Chairman, Abubakar Sadiq alleged that the persecution being faced now by Fulani herders was started by Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom through his unpopular law against open grazing in the state saying that though the law did not succeed, it has created problems for the herders.
He added that there is no law stopping any Nigerian from moving around the country pursuing a legitimate business provided he or she will not trample on the rights of others stressing that the herders are doing their legal vocation of breeding and therefore must not be disturbed.
On the statement made by the Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom branding Fulani as criminals, the MACBAN threatened that unless he immediately withdraw the statement, it will be left with no option other than legal means to clear the name of Fulani as an ethnic group.
The MACBAN also advised the Benue state Governor to withdraw the statement he made calling Bauchi state Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir as a terrorist just for defending an innocent tribe which is carrying out its legitimate business.
On the way forward out of the problem, he said that, “people must be fair to the Fulani, they should not be branded as criminals. Government at all levels should create a conducive atmosphere for the Fulani and others to do their legitimate businesses without molestation and castigation. We are all Nigerians and must be treated equally as such.”
