“We make bold to inform Nigerians that nobody has the right to expel a Nigerian from a particular part of Nigeria,”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) from the Northern Region of Nigeria has warned that no one has the right to expel any Nigerian from any part of the country, adding that the constitution guarantees freedom of movement to all citizens within the country’s marked borders.
This is coming following Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s seven-day quit notice to Fulani herders to vacate the state’s forest reserves.
Arewa, an influential political and cultural association of leaders in Northern part of the country, in reaction to Akeredolu’s quit order, on Saturday, asked the governor to follow the provisions of the constitution on the matter.
In a statement issued by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, the forum noted that the constitution guarantees freedom of movement to all Nigerians within the country.
It added that if the Fulani herdsmen in Ondo have committed any crime, they should be prosecuted and punished as provided for by the laws of the land.
“We make bold to inform Nigerians that nobody has the right to expel a Nigerian from a particular part of Nigeria,” Yawe stated.
According to the statement, “Every offence has its own punishment and the Forum has not seen a law which says a Nigerian should be denied the freedom to settle anywhere and pursue legitimate business according to the law.”
Yawe stated further that the Fulani herdsmen who were at the receiving end of Ondo state’s recent quit order were often victims of banditry themselves.
He added that they were frequently attacked, kidnapped for ransom and their cattle were often rustled.
“They need the protection of the state,” he further said.
“Those of them with proven cases of crime should be prosecuted according to law.
“This is what we expect from Ondo State Governor and former National President of Nigerian Bar Association, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, to do and not issue an order herding all cattle rearers out of his state,” Yawe said.
Governor Akeredolu had last week ordered Fulani herders with no registration papers to vacate the State’s forests reserves after it was discovered that bandits and kidnappers were using the place to perpetrate their nefarious acts.
The presidency, however, criticized the governor on the quit order saying “it is unconstitutional”
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