…APC sidelined my husband after 2015 win – Sen. Remi Tinubu***
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi 11 and the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, have commended the Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, for the enactment of the Anti-Open Grazing Law in the state, saying it is for the protection of all interest groups.
The duo said the law caters for the well-being of the parties involved, especially the herders, farmers, host communities among others.
Also, amnesty has been declared for any armed herder who surrenders such arms to security agencies in the state. They spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Monday during a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House Grounds.
In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the Emir, who is a patron of the MACBAN, was represented by former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who is also the Sarduana of Kano. Emir Sanusi also frowned at the situation whereby some criminal elements would hide under grazing of herd to perpetrate crimes.
“My mission is not politics and it is about peace and peaceful coexistence of our nation I am standing in here for the Emir and I am the Sarduana of Kano.
The Emir mandated me to come over here with the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and find out how we can work amicably. He feels that as a patron of the group he must ensure peace and lauded Governor Fayose for promoting peace.
“The law Governor Fayose enacted is the best to defend the rights of farmers and cattle breeders. Whoever crosses the red line should be dealt with as the law provides. That breeders should obey the rules of the communities they reside,” he said. In his comment, the MACBAN President, Muhammadu Kiruwa, described the meeting as a great eye opener and one that would put an end to incessant clashes between farmers and herders.
“I am really impressed with the governor for organising this meeting. Some state governors would just sit in their offices and not being proactive like Governor Fayose. Some misconception that I personally had against the governor have been cleared now.
” I can say it categorically that Governor Ayodele Fayose is a true leader of his people. He is definitely a lover of all groups including the Fulani people I can say he is the Sarkin Fulani of Ekiti State.
He is a peaceful leader and represents hope for all. We align ourselves with the grazing law as made by Ekiti State Government because it protects the interest of all parties,” he said. Speaking in the same vein, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi 111, said Fayose, being a visionary leader, ensured the enactment of the law following the killing of some people in Irele-Ekiti about two years ago.
“Some people thought he wanted to create problems with the law but as a visionary leader, he only took a proactive step and that was what helped prevent bloodshed like we had in some states. We need to tackle the issue before it gets out of hand. We are toying with danger if care is not taken. I would suggest that traditional rulers from across the country move round to meet and interact with the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has decried the treatment the All Progressives Congress (APC) gave her husband, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, after the party won the 2015 elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari had recently mandated Tinubu to reconcile aggrieved party members ahead of the 2019 general elections, an assignment the former governor of Lagos State has since begun.
But his wife, who is representing Lagos Central Senatorial District at the Senate, on Monday featured on Your View, a breakfast show of Television Continental, where she alleged that Tinubu was sidelined despite his efforts towards ensuring that APC won the polls.
Mrs. Tinubu, who disclosed that she was forced to discourage her husband from his continued loyalty to the Presidency and the APC, said the party leader was always harping on the development of the country.
She said, “He was campaigning, I did too. We were running three campaigns in my house. And for him to be trashed like that? But I saw somebody who has love for this country. I hate to speak because when I stand in the front of God, I don’t want, because of this man, go to hell.
“Occasionally, I would chip in and I would say, ‘You’re still helping out? Why are you helping out?’ He would say, ‘This country matters to me more.’”
Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha Buhari, had lamented that those who worked for her husband to get into power had been sidelined in the scheme of things under the current administration.
Mrs. Tinubu however pointed out that despite that the Buhari-led administration was now under massive criticisms, the President remained “the candidate to beat” in the forthcoming poll.
She said, “Change takes only one person to champion. And you need leadership. For me, Buhari is still the candidate to beat. Leadership is inspirational. Management is technical. If you have all the degrees and you’re smart and savvy, it is not about leadership. How many people are you inspiring?
“And Buhari, how many years has he been there? I am not campaigning for him. I am not; because I have looked at the dynamics; the poor still trust him. I will tell you: when it comes to integrity, Buhari has it. I don’t know about now.”
Vanguard with additional report from Citizen
