Disregard Northern Group’s Threat On Ruga, Presidency Tells Nigerians
The Presidency on Tuesday clarified that the National Livestock Transformation Plan of the Federal Government was not suspended .
While advising Nigerians not to worry about the 30 days ultimatum given by the Coalition of Northern Groups over the Ruga settlement project , the Presidency advised the CNG to respect the Office of the President which , it said, took the decision in the national interest .
The Senior Policy Adviser ( Agriculture Interventions Coordination ) in the Office of the Vice President , Dr . Andrew Kwasari, stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja during a training session organised for the executives of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and its officers in eight states considered to be flashpoints .
The training programme , which was jointly organised by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue , had as its theme : “ Dialogue and Negotiations : Why , when and how to be effective .”
Kwasari said, “ The National Livestock Transformation Plan has not been suspended . In fact , it has been enhanced because Mr President , in his wisdom, has spoken and directed that this is the plan that we should be working around to implement.
“ We will need all – encompassing committee of the National Economic Council, National Food Security Council, and the Federal Executive Council working together to deliver this plan . So, for us, this is the type of leadership that the country needs . So, there is no mention of suspension whatsoever for the NLTP. ”
The spokesperson for CNG , Abdul -Azeez Suleiman , in giving the 30 -day ultimatum to state governors to accept the Ruga programme , had said the conspiracy to weaken the North had been perpetrated with the active connivance of some leaders from the region.
But Kwasari dismissed the threat , saying a large section of the citizenry was in solidarity with Buhari over the suspension of Ruga policy .
He said, “ I think the President has the overwhelming support and his decision has resonated with the majority . I think we should not worry about the threats . They don’ t earn my respect in anyway, I can ’t support them . My support is for the President and the people of Nigeria .
“ Their threat is divisive, I think these people should listen to the majority of this country and above all , accord respect to the office of the President , if they are true citizens of this country .
“ The President took the decision to suspend the Ruga policy in the interest and common good of all Nigerians . Are we supposed to be concerned about rallying around the President who has taken a decision or a portion of society that feels otherwise for whatsoever reason? I don’ t know whatever evidence that they have .”
Asked if he would demand their arrest , Kwasari said he was sure that the security architecture of the country had taken a strong stance against hate speech and divisive rhetoric.
“ So, I’ m sure that the appropriate age cues are considering whatever action they will take . What is within my power is to make sure that the President ’s directive is obeyed ” , he stated .
The Country Manager of CHD, Babatunde Afolabi , said the 18 MACBAN leaders were chosen from “ seven frontline states and Katsina State .”
He said, “ The training was informed by the need to build the capacity of the stakeholders that we consider to be pivotal in the peace process in Benue and Nasarawa states.
“ If you are going to mediate in these two states in the farmers- herders crisis , then you should be talking to MACBAN and All Farmers ’ Association with a view to building and enhancing their capacity on mediation and dialogue . ”
The National Secretary of MACBAN , Baba Othman Ngelzarma , told journalists that “ by training them , their capacity to mitigate crisis will be thorough . The training is timely because peace building is essential . ”
“ Peace is very essential in the communal peace and dialogue plan . There has to be initiative that will bring about understanding among communities , most importantly among the pastoral communities and other communities in the country . What is missing now is the peace that had existed in the past between the pastoralists and the communities across the nation .”
Copyright PUNCH .
