Why Tinubu Should Give His Residence To Herdsmen, Afenifere Fires

Afenifere has condemned the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu for advising the Federal Government to convert unused land to grazing reserves.

Tinubu had said the herdsmen/farmers crisis was not caused by religious or political differences but by water scarcity.

Speaking at a peace forum, the former Lagos state governor asked the government to immediately convert unused land to grazing routes as this will curb incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

In a statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Yinka Odumakin, the group said the APC chieftain was free to play politics the way he liked but cautioned him against toying with people’s lives by making outlandish propositions.

Afenifere stated that the ex-governor was only endorsing the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association’s position to convert the entire nation into a cattle colony.

The statement reads in part, “We totally reject this position as it is very backward in modern times and contrary to the consensus of all peace-loving Nigerians that what we need to solve the herdsmen’s siege on farmers is to have ranches.

“Senator Tinubu has lived in very enlightened societies like the United States and Britain; If he was still living in any of such countries, would he suggest that grazing routes should be established at this age and time.

“We admonish him that he is free to play his politics the way it suits him but he should tread softly in playing games with the lives of our people by making outlandish propositions on issues which have been settled.

“Tinubu can give his residence in Bourdillon for cattle colony but our people will not accept their land being converted into cattle grazing routes.”