Calls on Fulani to vacate Yoruba land will break Nigeria apart – Babangida

A forum of former governors has frowned at an ultimatum issued to herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in a South Western state, saying the call is an attack on Nigeria’s corporate existence.

Chairman of the Former Governors Forum, Mu’azu Babangida, former governor of Niger, and its secretary Tunde Esan, said whatever motivated the notice must never be supported, adding, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”.

“In the last few days, peace and tranquility in some parts of our country is being undermined, by ethnocentric agitations and sheer aggrandizement by ethnic warlords,” they said in a statement.

“The southwest is the latest theatre of actions and inactions that challenges our fundamentals as a nation.

“To put it succinctly, ethnic warlords are threatening to launch an attack on Fulani herders.”

“But, it cannot and should not be a reason for misguided groups and ethnic jingoists to exploit the situation for whatever reason and take actions that challenge our togetherness as a nation.

“Fulani herders and Yoruba have been living together for generations; they share cultural values and religious practice.

“Those who seek to exploit the situation for personal gains should not be encouraged.”