By Nathaniel Ikyur
The leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore is at it again. Just last week, the organisation through its National Secretary, Saleh Alhassan issued a statement and tried to invoke hatred against the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, alleging that the governor is inciting Nigerians against the Fulani tribe and herdsmen. This is nothing but a fallacy.
It is obvious that Miyetti Allah and her allies are obsessed with attacking Governor Ortom and would never appreciate him because he has been the major obstacle to their murderous activities. It is only a leader who does not know his onions that would leave his people to be slaughtered like cattle by blood-thirsty pastoralists.
It is also not surprising that a governor who openly endorsed bearing of illegal arms (AK-47) by Fulani herders that are terrorising their host communities across the nation is the hero of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who revels in the spilling of blood of innocent human beings in beery community they invade to take over under the guise of pastoralism.
It is only a group that has territorial conquest ambition that would see a governor that signs a law to protect his people as “the only achievement”. Miyetti Allah should know that the primary responsibility of a governor is the protection of life and property. And Governor Ortom being a conscionable and conscientious leader, has taken this as his number one priority.
It is absurd and laughable, for Alhaji Alhassan and his group to concoct the tissue of lies that Ortom has raised a militia. This is laughable. And for what purpose? For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ortom is a man that believes in the rule of law and has consistently demonstrated this in all his dealings as the state chief executive. And if we may ask, who is more culpable in raising a militia? Between a governor who openly supports a group for bearing illegal arms and a governor that enacts a law to check the excesses and terrorist acts of a group that brandishes AK-47 all over the place?
Let it be known to Miyetti Allah and its allies that the Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law is a product of the aspirations of the people of the state who voted Governor Ortom into office. And the successes it has recorded so far, being embraced by the entire nation is a big plus. That notwithstanding, the government of Ortom has made significant progress in all sectors, confronting infrastructural deficits since it came on board in 2015. So it is not true that the law prohibiting open grazing is the only achievement of this administration.
It is therefore ripe to repeat the calls made by Governor Ortom and many other patriotic Nigerians on the federal government to tame the leadership of Miyetti Allah, its affiliate groups and the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen that are terrorising Nigeria before its too late. As it is now, these groups have been most reckless in all their public outings, behaving as if they are authorities unto themselves and above the law.
▪︎ Ikyur is the Principal Special Assistant on Media to Benue State Governor