Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has frowned at a call for the arrest of its leaders by opposition party, PDP.
The PDP had on Wednesday given President Muhammadu Buhari a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest and prosecute leaders of the association.
The urge follows threats by the Benue State coordinator of the group, Garius Gololo, who warned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to resign or be forced to do so.
“It is on this note that we are saying that Saraki ought not to be in office again as Senate President, more so, Saraki has failed to coordinate and organise the National Assembly to offer quality legislation that Nigerians need ” he was quoted by the Punch as saying.
“Nigerians are in dire need of people that have the interest of the masses. Miyetti Allah is looking for a leader that would preside over the affairs of the Senate with ultimate respect for the executive and the judiciary, not someone like Senator Saraki that would always scheme to outdo the Presidency.
“We are now tired of Saraki’s style of leadership at the National Assembly. Therefore, we are now warning him to honourably resign his position as president of the Senate or we will force him out,” Mr Gololo had said.
As a follow up to PDP’s reaction, MACBAN in a statement by its National Secretary, Baba Ngelzarma, described the call for arrest by PDP as unfortunate.
The association warned the PDP to concentrate more on its business of opposition rather than “meddling into issues that does not have value.”
“We are however surprised by the statement accredited to PDP calling for the arrest of the entire leadership of MACABN for a statement made by an individual who has no capacity in whatever form to speak for the association.
“We consider the statement made by PDP Publicity Secretary unfortunate, we have noticed with consternation that the PDP publicity takes special delight in issuing statement that are mundane and detrimental to the party itself and had succeeded in making statement issued by him look childish. We are worried with the content of the statement and take exception to threat to our leaders. We are re-iterating for umpteenth time that MACBAN is non-political, non-religious charitable organisation established for the interest of livestock breeders in the country and will therefore have no business meddling into political issues.
“We are calling on the PDP and any other political organisation to concentrate on giving Nigerians credible opposition where people can pitch their tents when dissatisfied with where they belong. We believe the opposition should be done with utmost sincerity of purpose devoid of meddling into issues that does not add value.”
On Wednesday, the association dissociated itself from Mr Gololo’ comment saying Mr Gololo only spoke for himself; while promising sanctions against him.
Miyetti Allah again re-emphasised its stance.
“We most re-emphasise that the statement made by Garus Gololo should be seen as his own personal opinion as it does not in any way represent the position of MACBAN, Thank you,” the statement reads.
