AK47 For Self-Defence: Don’t Set Nigeria On Fire, Senator Tofowomo, Tells Bauchi Gov.
Deji Adebayo, Abuja
The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Nicholas Tofowomo, has fired back at Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for defending Herders that carry AK47 in the name of self-defence.
Some National Newspaper had reported on Thursday that the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said that Fulani herders carry AK-47 for self-defence because they are being attacked by cattle rustlers.
Governor Bala gave this in defence of armed herdsmen while slamming his counterpart in Benue State, Samuel Ortom, over his handling of the farmer-herder clashes which had led to the loss of lives and properties.
Reacting on Friday, Senator Tofowomo who is also of the PDP described the statement credited to the governor as unacceptable, unfortunate and a mockery of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator, therefore, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call him to order before he set Nigeria on fire.
The Senator said: Your Excellency, I read a statement credited to you in many National Newspapers that you said Fulani herders carry AK-47 for self-defence. Dear governor Bala Mohammed, if you truly said this, it is unfortunate, unacceptable and a mockery of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
How can your Excellency justify the carrying of Ak47 by herdsmen in the name of self-defence? Sir, Are you saying it is now allowed under the Constitution of Nigeria to carry AK47 for self-defence?
If your Excellency can give this as a justification in defence of herders that carry AK47 in the name of self-defence to protect cows, it means vulnerable farmers and defenceless Nigerians who are being slaughtered every day on their farms can as well carry Ak49 to defend their lives and properties.
The farmer-herder conflict is now claiming more lives than the Boko Haram insurgency across Nigeria which has also increased ethnic, regional and religious polarisation. I do not expect any sitting governor in Nigeria to take a side or utter a double standard statement over this serious matter that calls for a sober reflection.
Doing so will amount to an endorsement of evil being perpetrated by those herders bearing AK47 to kill defenceless Nigerians and rape vulnerable women.
As a concerned Lawmaker who wants a progressive Nigeria, I hereby call President Muhammadu Buhari to call Governor Bala Mohammed to order before he set Nigeria on fire.
I also call on the government at all levels to do everything possible to protect the genuine herders and farmers while they must as well arrest and prosecute those perpetrating criminal activities for the sake of one Nigeria.
Signed
Akinrinlola Olumide,
SA Media and Publicity,
To the Senator.
February 12, 2021.