Ondo State government has warned the Presidency that its emotional attachment to herders is inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
The state government gave the warning on Wednesday in its reaction to the declaration by the Presidency that its orders that unregistered herders should vacate the state’s forest.
In its reaction released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency the order by Ondo State governor was unconstitutional.
But in its reply to the Presidency’s position, Ondo State government in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said the presidency had brazenly shown its emotional attachment to herders.
According to the state, that position was dangerous.
The statement reads in part:
“The Ondo State Government did not ask Fulani to leave the state.
“The governor said herdsmen who are unregistered should leave our forests.
“The statement from Garba Shehu is brazen display of emotional attachments and it’s very inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“We need clearly defined actions on the part of the Federal Government to decimate the erroneous impression that the inspiration of these criminal elements masquerading as herdsmen is that of power.
“Our unity is threatened, no doubt.
“It (statement) states in a breath that the governor fights crime with passion while it is prevaricating on the atrocities.
“The question is, are the herdsmen who are perpetrating murder, kidnapping and robbery more important than government and even the Federal Government in this case?
“Ethnic nationality and activism on the part of anyone hiding under the Presidency or federal government is an ill wind.”
