RUGA: Why Nigerians need to disregard Northern group’s threat – Presidency

The Presidency on Tuesday clarified that the National Livestock Transformation Plan of the Federal Government was not suspended.

While advising Nigerians not to worry about the 30 days ultimatum given by the Coalition of Northern Groups over the Ruga settlement project, the Presidency advised the CNG to respect the Office of the President which, it said, took the decision in the national interest.

The Senior Policy Adviser (Agriculture Interventions Coordination) in the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Andrew Kwasari, stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja during a training session organised for the executives of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and its officers in eight states considered to be flashpoints.

The training programme, which was jointly organised by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, had as its theme: “Dialogue and Negotiations: Why, when and how to be effective.”
Kwasari said, “The National Livestock Transformation Plan has not been suspended. In fact, it has been enhanced because Mr President, in his wisdom, has spoken and directed that this is the plan that we should be working around to implement.

“We will need all-encompassing committee of the National Economic Council, National Food Security Council, and the Federal Executive Council working together to deliver this plan. So, for us, this is the type of leadership that the country needs. So, there is no mention of suspension whatsoever for the NLTP.”
The spokesperson for CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in giving the 30-day ultimatum to state governors to accept the Ruga programme, had said the conspiracy to weaken the North had been perpetrated with the active connivance of some leaders from the region.

But Kwasari dismissed the threat, saying a large section of the citizenry was in solidarity with Buhari over the suspension of Ruga policy.

He said, “I think the President has the overwhelming support and his decision has resonated with the majority. I think we should not worry about the threats. They don’t earn my respect in anyway, I can’t support them. My support is for the President and the people of Nigeria.

“Their threat is divisive, I think these people should listen to the majority of this country and above all, accord respect to the office of the President, if they are true citizens of this country.