Press statement from the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, below...
We are pleased that Afenifere and Ohaneze Ndigbo found our insights
worthy of attention even when they disagreed with our view that they, as
socio-cultural associations, represent same interests as Miyetti Allah,
an association of Fulani herders.
The point both socio-cultural groups missed, however, by insisting
that government should not to talk to Miyetti Allah is the need to
address and engage Nigeria's ethnic, religious, cultural and economic
plurality that was evident when General Yakubu Gowon introduced National
Youth Service Corps, NYSC. The need to engage all groups of Nigeria is
as much relevant today as it was then.
The Presidency’s position is that President Muhammadu Buhari’s
government is equipped to address these issues. The security challenges
faced by Nigeria today make the task of addressing the issues very
urgent.
Miyetti Allah, like any other trade, community, ethnic organization
or interest group is a legal stake holder in our nation and should be
respected. We maintain that the government needs to engage all
stakeholders and seek partnership in building our country.
The activities of Miyetti Allah do not benefit selected ethnicities
or Muslims only, but everyone. Long before petroleum became the core of
Nigerian economy, agriculture was the main source of Nigerian wealth.
Cattle, hides and skin were a major part of Nigerian export.
It is right to state that there are criminals among every group in
Nigeria and in every country. There are criminals among the northern
population as there are in the southern part of the country. It is not
good to generalise blames. The government will engage each stakeholder
and create dialogue between, and among, different groups.
We note the statement by Ohaneze this morning, who expressed concern
about an allegation that government gave N100 billion to Miyetti Allah
for dubious reasons. As I said on Channels TV, it is an absolute
falsehood. The issue of money was never raised at any of the meetings
between the representatives of government and Miyetti Allah. If they had
raised it, this government would have dismissed them as yet another
dubious group, like the many making claims to be representing our
trusting people but serving their own interests.
We choose again to speak on this because it is dangerous for the
public to ignore rumours aimed at inciting people against each other or
against the government. The people spreading such rumours should be
helped to see the truth and participate in nation building, and not
become crisis messengers.
As the President has stated time and again, transparency and dialogue
are essential for public enlightenment and nation building.
Garba Shehu
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