A socio-political organisation, Yoruba Youth Council, has
rejected the agitation for grazing reserves for Fulani cattle rearers across
the country, with a call on Southerners to go and defend their lands against
external aggressors, reports NaijaAgroNet.
The group also condemned the recent atrocities of Fulani
herdsmen in some parts of the South West and Enugu State, warning that it was
an ominous signal that Fulani want to declare war against Southern Nigeria.
The position of YYC was contained in a communique signed by
its President, Eric Oluwole and Publicity Secretary, Oladeinde 'Dare, after its
emergency meeting held in Lagos but distributed to political correspondents on
Monday in Abuja.
The group specifically called on "all members of the
National Assembly representing the Yoruba people to ensure that the bill on
grassing reserve die on its arrival."
The communique reads:
"We considered the position of the Northern governors
and their leaders on the criminal display of their Fulani Herdsmen as an
attestation to the colonisation agenda of the Fulani people on the southerners.
"The violent activities of the Fulani herdsmen that had
led to the kidnap of notable Yoruba leaders like chief Olu Falae and their
previous attack of Yoruba communities in Oke Ogun, Oyo state and the
Imeko/Ipokai in Ogun state, without a feasible solution from government is a
pointer that the Hausa/Fulani are momentrically mongering for war against the
southerners as it was manifested in the recent attack of innocent and armless
citizens in Enugu state.
"The planned grassing reserves by the Federal
Government is a poly to impose the Fulani oligarchy agenda on the entire nation
which aims at taking over our land through back door to further empower the
Fulanis. If not, why is it that their echo is loudest when President Muhammadu
Buhari, their kinsman is enthroned in the country?
"We state that we shall resist any incursion or attempt
by the Fulani herdsmen and their sponsors to forcefully rear their cattle in
any part of Yoruba speaking states including the territorial boundaries, if
adequate and workable measures are not given.
"We however calling on our fellow southern brothers to
ignore the disintegrative statement made by the Northern Governors, but to be
more vigilant and focussed to ensure their lands and territory are properly
defended.
"While we are reiterating our support for the stance of
Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi that there is no land for grassing reserve
in Oyo state, we are calling on all members of the National Assembly representing
the Yoruba people to ensure that the bill on grassing reserve die on its
arrival."
Isaac Oyimah/GEE
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