GRAZING RESERVES: YORUBA YOUTHS BEAT WAR DRUMS

Nigeria, May 02, 2016 – A socio-political organisation, Yoruba Youth Council(YYC), has rejected the agitation for grazing reserves for Fulani cattle rearers across the country, calling on Southerners to go and defend their lands against external aggressors.

The group which condemned atrocities allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the South West and Enugu State, warned that it was an ominous signal that Fulani want to declare war against Southern Nigeria.

Position of YYC was contained in a communique signed by its President and Publicity Secretary, Comrades Eric Oluwole and Oladeinde ‘Dare, after an emergency in Lagos. The group specifically called on “all members of the National Assembly representing the Yoruba people to ensure that the bill on grassing reserve dies on its arrival.

“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 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 call 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 dies on its arrival.”