Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has condemned an alleged N100billion funds allocated to Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), saying such allocation will further encourage the rise of additional pressure groups across the country.
Adams made the condemnation in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, stating that such funds should be channelled to other lucrative areas, to avoid crisis in other zones, particularly, in the Niger Delta region.
“The issue at stake is about the spate of insecurity across the nation, it is not limited to the North. Therefore, the Federal Government needs to be cautious on the move. Here in the southwest, the spate of insecurity is raging,” the statement reads.
Continuing, the Aare Ona Kakanfo said: “For instance, in Akokoland, in Ondo State, which happens to be my hometown, there were series of attacks and kidnapping that had been raging and still on the increase. People have been killed and kidnapped at will, and the situation still continues till the present moment.
“Last year, Chief Olu Falae’s farm was invaded and destroyed by this group of herdsmen. Chief Alani Akinrinade also suffered the same fate. In Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, a prominent Yoruba son lost several millions to the activities of these killer herdsmen.
“Several other people in the South-West had had the bitter experience. A situation whereby an Oba in Akokoland and a lecturer from Obafemi Awolowo University were kidnapped along Ilesha-Ife road, and released after paying huge five million naira as ransom is pathetic and not too good for the nation.”
Adams noted that N100bn for Miyetti Allah is very much higher than the total budget package for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) for three years, arguing that the move can trigger avoidable crisis across all the zones in the country.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo, also urged the Federal Government, to as a matter of urgency, extend the new security arrangement to other zones assuring that, in the southwest, there are groups that are keen to support government’s initiatives on reducing the spate of insecurity in the zone.
Adams, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari on his views about federalism, calling on him to handle it the way he handled the June 12 issue.
“With the new situation, I think Mr. President has an idea of what we have been saying all these days about true federalism and restructuring. Nigeria’s problems can only be solved with true federalism,” he said.
He advised President Buhari to be cautious of some dubious and selfish politicians who may want to discourage him, from handling the issue of federalism to the benefits of the country as well as the citizens.
