Igbo Leaders in Kano, Ganduje Reject Call for Relocation of Fulani Herdsmen from South

The Igbo leaders in Kano State and the state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, have rejected the calls from notable northern political leaders that all Fulani herdsmen living in the southern part of the country should relocate to the North due to the heightened tension in the country, describing it as divisive and retrogressive.

According to Ganduje, “We don’t share the same feeling with those who are calling on the Fulani herdsmen to leave the South. People have a choice, but as far as the Nigerian constitution is concerned, people should live wherever they chose. But they must respect the laws and cultures of those they live with.”

A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abba Anwar, at the weekend said the rejections by the governor were made during a special dinner organised by Ganduje in honour of Eze Ndigbo in Kano, Eze Boniface Ibekwe, to rejoice with him on his 10th Ofala anniversary, which took place at the Government House in Kano last Saturday night.

The statement stated that Ibekwe, who is also the President General of Igbo Traditional Leaders in Diaspora, stated that “look at what is happening now as some people are calling on Fulani herdsmen to come back to the North. So if they come back what will happen to us here in the North?

“Should our people tell us to go back to the South? Is that what our forefathers wished to see us doing? We are therefore rejecting such call coming from some quarters. It does not mean well for the corporate existence of our dear country.”

The statement added that the governor argued that there was no doubt that Nigeria is a heterogeneous society with different religions and nationalities which calls for mutual respect among different people.

Ganduje insisted that, “as we are all creatures of Allah, it is duty-bound on all of us to always respect Allah’s creatures.”

He stated that the issue of Fulani herdsmen roaming about from one place to another should be stopped. Herders should drop the cultural attachment to their rearing activities and make their rearing become economically beneficial.”

It was on that background that he called on the federal government to put a halt to the ever-increasing movement of herders from one state to another.

The governor said: “It is because we want to bring out the economic benefit from the whole exercise that we inaugurated a RUGA Settlement Committee in Kano State, and to most fundamentally move away from the insecurity posed by the herders/farmers clashes.”

While observing that the major problem of herders is education, “Ganduje said:…because they move around often, they are not settled in one place to get education, and that is the fact.”

He reiterated his commitment towards making sure that RUGA project takes off in Kano, emphasising that “it is through that that we can educate our Fulani brothers and sisters. And I have been nurturing this idea for a long time before now. That was why we sent 75 Fulani youths to Turkey to be trained on artificial insemination. They are back now. So we need to put them into good use for society.

“I was born in RUGA (hamlet). I learned how to speak Hausa when I was in Primary 1. I was educated while my parents believed and understood the dire need of education for their children and others. If not because Allah’s blessing, I wouldn’t have this opportunity to stand before you.”

On the accommodating nature of the state, he explained that though Kano is a commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria, he still argues that the state was not an island of itself. “We got to this position because we receive and accommodate other people from other places. Every individual has his or her comparative advantage,” he stated.

While commending all the security agencies for their efforts in making Kano State a safer place, he also thanked the people for their cooperation with the security agents and their continued prayers all the time.

Furthermore, Ibekwe also urged his people (Igbo) to always remain law-abiding citizens, assuring them that “we are very happy that we are safe in the hands of our governor, and that Kano is the safest place in Nigeria.”