- Drums Support For Governor
By Abiola Olawale
The 7-day ultimatum given by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for herders to vacate forest reserves in Ondo continues to spark nationwide reactions as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams, on Wednesday backed the Governor.
The generalissimo reacted to the statement from the presidency released by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The presidency had said asking herders to vacate forest reserves is outside the constitutional powers of the Governor.
Following the statement from the presidency, Kehinde Aderemi, the Special Assistant on Media to Adams, released a statement on Wednesday.
The statement reads, “Garba Shehu/Presidency do not know the meaning of forest reserves. It is not accessible except to authorised personnel/loggers. Apart from it being a place for valued cash trees, it is also meant as a haven of safety for protected animals against poachers. The herdsmen living in the forest are not only unauthorised, they would likely cut down trees to make fires and must also kill animals for food.
“A reserved forest is not a place of residence for anyone, not even Ondo indigenes or farmers. It is most unfortunate that such a statement is coming directly from the presidency, who according to the Constitution, has the prerogative to protect the lives and property of citizens in the country now looking for ways to foil the good plans and intentions of the state government to get rid of the bad elements that are masquerading as herders and pastoralists in the state.”
Adams further called for support to back Southwest Governors in their respective states in their bid to tackle insecurity. He said, “I am now using this opportunity to call on all Yoruba sons and daughters to support all the governors in the South West in their fight against insurgency across the region.”
It would be recalled that Akeredolu had given the herders in Ondo State a 7-day ultimatum to vacate all forest reservers across the state.
Following the statement, the presidency, and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, among others, have condemned the ultimatum, saying the Governor does not have the constitutional powers.
Meanwhile, Akeredolu has again affirmed that he is committed to bringing an end to the security challenges in the state. He added that no amount of threats can stop him from getting rid of the bad elements in the state.
Ondo government also added that there is no backing down on its seven-day vacation order to herdsmen to leave the forest reserves in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Ondo state commissioner for information and orientation, Donald Ojogo, in reaction to a statement by presidential spokesman, Shehu.
Ojogo also alleged that the statement by Shehu was not endorsed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
