A non- governmental organisation, NGO, based in Benin, Edo State, Foundation for Good Governance and Social Change (FGGSC) has carpeted the Bauchi State governor, Bala Muhammed over his recent statement justifying bearing of arms by Fulani herdsmen.
At a press conference on Saturday, executive director of the civil society organisation, Austin Osakue expressed concern that “The statement opens the floodgates of self-help for Nigerians of other ethnic divides and geographical zones to resort to self-help and arm themselves”.
Describing Muhammed’s comments as “reckless, provocative, divisive and unbecoming of the status of a governor in a pluralistic society like Nigeria.” Osakue called on the Presidency to caution the governor.
Recall that Muhammed had a few days ago defended Fulani herdsmen some of whom had been perpetrating all manner of criminal acts, stating that they have the right to own and carry around AK47 rifles for protection of their cows.
The FGGSC director noted that the situation in Nigeria was similar to what led to the 30 months civil war in 1967 which resulted in wanton destruction of lives and properties.
According to him, “That President Buhari’s federal government has not reprimanded the Bauchi governor so far paints a scenario of the voice of Jacob but the Hand of Esau.
“How can one ethnic group constitute so much threat to the rest of Nigeria? Who are their backers? Why have repeated calls for ranches fallen on deaf ears?
“We call on the Buhari government to consult the history books. If it does, it will discover that the exact same events which led to the 30-month civil war between 1967 and 1970 are playing out now”.
Osakue warned that “Those who fail to learn from history will be forced to repeat it”.
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