Fulani ruga settlement: Buhari govt promoting religious bigotry, nepotism – Ohanaeze

The apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of promoting religious bigotry and nepotism.

President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo said this while condemning Federal Government’s proposed Ruga farm settlement across the country for Fulani herdsmen.

Recall that Buhari government had disclosed that it was working towards establishing Ruga settlements for herdsmen in 12 pilot states nationwide.

Mohammadu Umar, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this known in Abuja recently.

Reacting to the proposed settlement, Nwodo accused the Federal Government of deliberately looking for trouble as some of its policies were allegedly meant to favour Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking yesterday on Enugu, the Ohanaeze President General said Federal Government’s insistence on the settlement was a violation of the country’s constitution.

Nwodo warned that Nigeria is currently sliding into a state of anarchy.

He said: “The Federal Government’s violation of provisions of our constitution, on the administrative of land in Nigeria, its total violation of valid laws made by Benue State Government in accordance with her inherent powers under our constitution and its violations of extant court judgment on grazing and ranching is a clear pointer to anarchy.

“When respect for the rule of law is jettisoned and sheer power, religious bigotry and nepotism displayed, an inevitable resort to self-help and anarchy is being courted. Our country is sliding into avoidable anarchy and doom.”