Buhari Has Not Done Anything For Us Other Than Creating Enemies For Us — Miyetti Allah

*calls for restructuring

The National Secretary of the Miyetti Allah, Saleh Alhassan, has said that not all Fulanis are criminals. According to him, the generalization that they are all criminals is not healthy for the country

Alhassan said this during an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH and also made a case for restructuring.

“We don’t support crime. So, I’m not saying there are no Fulani that is criminals, there are, like other tribes, but don’t destroy their profession. It’s not good for the country. If everything busts, it’s to the advantage of the herders because we are not even enjoying the federation.

“We are even bidding for the restructuring of the country; let every part go, so we can say this is where we are. As it is now, there is no form of marginalisation we are not seeing in this country. Everywhere we are being marginalised. You think we will accept Nigeria where we don’t have access to land to feed our animals and you think there will be peace?” he said

Alhassan said restructuring will fundamentally solve the farmer/herders crisis. He said “If we leave today now and if there is no oil revenue, won’t they pay attention to animal rearing? If we restructure the country and the South-West region says they won’t accept cattle unless they are brought to the market or supermarket, it’s okay by us.”

Alhassan clarified that President Buhari has no relationship with Fulani Herdsmen so the notion that putting pressure on herders will get at him is false

He said life is worse to them (herders) under Buhari as they don’t access any government facility or social amenity.

“The mistake people make is that they think when they put pressure on herders they are getting at President (Muhammadu) Buhari. Buhari has no relationship with the herders. That is the truth. When people say he is our grandpatron, was Jonathan from the South-South, not our grandpatron?

“If the President is a Fulani, it doesn’t in any way affect the life of a herder. In fact, they are worse off under Buhari. What are they benefitting? They don’t access any government facility or social amenity, yet they are responsible for the bulk of animal protein we produce in this country. I think it’s deliberate for people to think otherwise.” he said

In fact, Alhassan argued, Buhari has only created more enemies for herders. According to him, if Buhari loves the herders, he would have created the grazing reserves for them

He said, “Buhari has not done anything for us other than creating enemies for us. Herders are being chased around. Let us look at the larger picture and not allow enemies to penetrate us. If Buhari loves the herders, he would have created the grazing reserves for them.”