Following widespread condemnation, the federal government has announced the suspension of the planned Ruga settlement project.
A Channels Television report citing a presidency source revealed the government’s decision to suspend the programme, which has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians.
The presidency source also revealed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum would be addressing the issue soon.
The programme which appeared to be pursued with due consultations elicited massive condemnation by prominent Nigerians and ethnic groups, who imputed ethno-religious motives to th project.
NOBEL laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka had warned the federal government that the Ruga herdsmen settlements could spark an explosion in the country. He said the Ruga project of the government was not the best approach to resolving the herders-farmers’ clashes.
“Ruga is going to be an explosion if not handled with care. But why do we not take our policies from good models? This is not the way people and countries deal with issues of cattle. I travel everywhere. It has to be handled in a way that is logical, comprehensible to the environment. When a cow walks up to the window of my house in Abeokuta, a house which is located in a residential area, then there’s a problem.
“When a cow goes to Ijebu Ode and eats up their seedlings and so on and you expect people to be quiet? People have been killed in hundreds just because of the failure of leadership at a critical time,” he said.
On its part, Ohanaeze Ndigbo accused President Muhammmadu Buhari of jettisoning the rule of law to favour his kinsmen. John Nnia Nwodo, president general, Ohanaeze, said the federal government’s violation of provisions of the constitution on the administration of land in Nigeria, was a clear pointer to anarchy.
“The Federal Government’s total violation of valid laws made by Benue State Government in accordance with her inherent powers under our constitution and its violations of extant court judgment on grazing and ranching is a clear pointer to anarchy.”
Likewise, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, said the federal government’s insistence on the implementation of the Ruga project was meant to elevate the Fulani above other ethnic groups in the country. Yinka Odumakin, spokesman, Afenifere, insisted that the government by its action was promoting ethnic hatred in the country.
“If there is anyone that is perpetrating ethnic hatred, it is the government. When you promote one ethnic group over the others, is that not ethnic hatred? I think Garba Shehu has been engaging in promotion of ethnic chauvinism aimed at elevating the Fulani. He has become the spokesman for the Fulani in Nigeria and the way he speaks using uncouth, foul language on people is unfortunate.”
Also, Bitrus Pogu, president, Middle Belt Forum, described the statement credited to the presidential spokesman as the height of insensitivity. He wondered why the Federal Government would want to seize land from states and allocate same to other people under the guise of Ruga
