The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on the federal government to ditch plans to establish cattle colonies, otherwise known as ‘Ruga’ for herdsmen in states across Nigeria because it may worsen insecurity.
It also charged governors of the Niger Delta states to reject the programme as it tilts towards upsetting the relative peace and security being enjoyed in the region.
PANDEF stated this in a statement in Warri, Thursday, promising to fully fight the cause.
The statement by its national secretary, Alfred Mulade, pointed out such move goes to corroborate hearsays that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government seeks to islamise the country.
According to PANDEF: ‘Ruga’ settlements may heighten strife across the nation, not attend to “the heinous activities of the herdsmen.”
Emphasising it “rejects” the programme the group stated: “without any equivocation, PANDEF strongly condemns the programme and hereby states that there is no land anywhere in the Niger Delta Region for the establishment of such settlements for herdsmen.
“It is quite disturbing that in a democracy, the federal government would unilaterally decide the establishment of Ruga settlements or cattle colonies.
“It is necessary to note that the Land Use Act, enacted in 1978 to regulate land tenure and administration systems, and to ensure effective and equitable utilization of land and land resources in the country, vests all urban land within a state in the state governor, and all non-urban land in the local governments in which they are found.”
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It further described the gesture as a “disrespect to the rule of law with impunity and authoritarianism,” which “neither fits into the practice of Democracy, nor supports Mr. President’s recent recommendation of True Federalism for Nigeria.
“In fact, along with the re-submission of the Inland Waterways Bill and the approval of a Radio frequency for establishment of Radio stations for Herdsmen by the Federal Government, there is only one inescapable conclusion, and that is, Nigeria is towing a catastrophic destiny.”
It also tasked governors of the oil rich region to form a united front to resist the cattle colonies, as well as called on the federal government to ditch the idea.
“We therefore urge Governors of the Niger Delta states to collectively also reject the programme, as it is capable of undermining the prevailing relative peace and security in the region. PANDEF considers those behind this idea as enemies of the country as the planned settlement could worsen the security situation in the country.
“We call on the Federal Government to jettison its plan, as it is an invitation to chaos, and a prelude towards the islamisation of this Country, which PANDEF is determined to resist, with all vehemence,” the PANDEF stated.
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