Leadership of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in
Plateau State on Tuesday urged the state House of Assembly to urgently pass a
resolution directing the state Governor, Simon Lalong, to “totally reject the federal
government’s Ruga settlement policy,” describing it as anti-people.
This is even as Berom Youth Moulders (BYM) has also
rejected Ruga settlements of the federal government, warning that the Berom has
no such land to donate for Ruga settlement in any parts of Barkin-Ladi, Riyom
and Jos South Local Government Areas owned by the Berom tribe in the state.
The PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity
Secretary, John Akans, said it was worried by the governor’s silence on the
matter, even with the enlistment of the state as one of the pilot states for
the programme.
"The party is worried on the continued silence
by the state government concerning Ruga settlement programme by the federal
government. This is because some states have come out with a clear and
unambiguous position of total rejection of this unacceptable plan of the All
Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
"We are deeply concerned that while some state
governors have come out with a clear position on this matter as it affects
their people, our own dear governor has refused to make his position known. We
expect the APC-led government in the state to make a categorical statement
regarding this programme, but it seems the APC itself is confused as to what to
tell the Plateau people.
“It is being alleged that the APC government of Lalong
has already conceded some lands to the federal government for the purpose of
this anti- people's programme. The governor must listen to the cries of
traumatised Plateau people who have been victims of herdsmen attacks.
"The governor must understand that our land is
our heritage and inheritance which cannot be shared. He must also realise that
land cannot be used in exchange for his personal political bargain and favour.
"We equally call on members of the state House
of Assembly to as a matter of urgency pass a resolution directing the state
governor to totally reject this anti people's programme that is against the
people of their various constituencies like their Benue State counterparts,"
the PDP said.
Also, the statement signed by the BYM National
Publicity Secretary, Pam Dung Gyang, read: “We have received with rude shock
the news for the establishment of Ruga settlement in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom
Local Government Areas of Plateau State by the federal government.
“Credible information available to us revealed that
Gashish community in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, where over 188 persons,
including women, children and the aged were murdered in cold blood by suspected
herdsmen in June 2018 have been earmarked for Ruga Settlement project.
“We also have information on good authority that
villages in Riyom Local Government Area of the state where dozens of persons
have been terrorised and killed by herdsmen have also been penciled down for the
Ruga project.
"We are
aware that this programme which is about to commence in some parts of Nigeria,
including Plateau State, has generated serious contention and strife, particularly
in the Southeast and South-south geo-political zones of the country.
"We
have also read the statement made by the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum
and Governor of Plateau State, Lalong, after a meeting with his President
Muhammadu Buhari where he said states that are being used for the pilot scheme
for the Ruga Settlement applied to join. He emphasised that no state in the
federation will be coerced to be part of the Ruga Settlement programme.
"It is on this premise that the Berom Youth
Moulders wish to state that the Berom does not have land to donate for the
establishment of Ruga settlement in any parts of Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Jos
South Local Government Areas of the state."
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