Nigerians again woke to yet another infraction from the Presidency. It is increasingly difficult to determine who Garba Shehu speaks for, the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria or Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. His statements rather aggravates already tense situations than douse them.
Recall that on the 18 January 2021, the Governor and Chief Security Officer of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu took major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping, in particular, and other nefarious activities within the state by issuing some executive orders.
The statement released by the Governor clearly stated that these orders are based on intelligence gathered from security reports, the press and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases in Ondo State. The governor also said that these unfortunate incidents are traceable to the activities of some bad elements “masquerading as herdsmen”. He never criminalized law abiding herdsmen as erroneously claimed by Garba Shehu in his ignoble response.
Garba Shehu did not contradict the source and credibility of the intelligence supporting the order issued by the Governor. He also ignored the constitutional right of a Governor to protect lives and properties within his state by all legal means, including registration of entities (men and Businesses).
Garba in his response referred to the constitutional right of citizens to reside within any part of Nigeria but failed to mention that this right is guaranteed by their ability to remain law abiding in their choice of residence. Do I have to remind Garba that Aiding and abetting or refusing to report crime remain offenses punishable under the Nigerian Laws?
A presidential spokesperson in the caliber of Garba Shehu should understand that forest reserves are not dwelling areas. A careful study of the Ondo state Governor’s order should reveal to any unbiased citizen that Herdsmen were not asked to vacate Ondo state, the state simply seek to license those willing to transact legal business activities within the forest reserves.
Governor Akeredolu is therefore constitutional correct with the order mandating law abiding herdsmen to get registered to operate within the government reserve area.
The President should not only call Garba Shehu to order, he should order his investigation by the law enforcement authorities. His statements mostly incite and embolden some segment of the population against constituted authorities