Two governors of neighbouring states, both elected on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have different ideas of the cause, and thus solution to the herdsmen crises ravaging various parts of the country. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Tanko Al Makura of Nasarawa State are at war over the location of the killer herdsmen who have invaded and murdered many farmers and innocent residents of Benue State. Ortom accused the neighbouring Nasarawa of harbouring and, perhaps, supporting the herdsmen who allegedly strike from Tonga and recoil there to avoid being apprehended by the security forces. But, Al Makura has expressed angst that his colleague could make an allegation he regarded as wild. The Nasarawa State governor explained that he was so concerned about the crisis that he had to cut short his vacation to lend a helping hand. He said many of the displaced Benue residents have been accommodated in the same Awe Local Government that Ortom claimed hosts the murderers.
The tango is uncalled for. The two gentlemen are supposed to share and compare notes with a view to finding a lasting solution to what has become a major plague. If Gov. Ortom could be running to Abuja so frequently to seek support and solution to the crisis, it is surprising that he never considered visiting neighbouring states with a view to finding and tackling the problem at its root. What would Gov. Al Makura gain by being a source of Benue’s pain? Why would the [people of Nasarawa be allies of the marauding herdsmen who are not doing the same in their own state?
We understand the pressure under which Governor Ortom is operating and the likely consequences. However, it is the mark of leadership that a man weighs his words and actions because of the likely effects. Utterances have been known to set communities and countries ablaze. At this point what Benue needs are friends, not enemies. If Gov. Al Makura were to react to the allegations by his Benue counterpart, he would send the displaced persons back to their state of origin and that would not only deepen the woes of the people, but is capable of exacerbating the crisis.
We are surprised that the security forces are yet to get to the root of a crisis that has festered for so long. Had the Police and the Department of State Services responded promptly and professionally to the crisis when it began, there would have been no controversy over the location of the purveyors of death and their modes of operation. The Federal Government should be reminded again that the primary purpose of governance is two-fold -security of lives and property and welfare of the citizens. Any government that fails in these respects does not deserve the support and respect of the people. So far, government agencies have failed the Benue people and, by extension Taraba and other states. It was this failure that led to the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law and increased tension between farmers and the herdsmen.
What has the government done to rein in and bring the murderers to book? What, too, has been done to ensure that the herdsmen have access year-round to water and grazing for their livestock? Do we have a virile policy that would promote livestock farming in the most conducive environment? It is unfortunate that the President had to wait for the sacrifice of about 73 lives in the latest round of butchery before he realised the need to dispatch the Inspector General of Police to the State, and send the Interior Minister to assess the situation. Mr. President should realise that the whole country is his constituency and injury to one is injury to all. He has to learn to respond more swiftly to crisis. It is his predilection for slow reaction that has given rise to allegations that he supports crimes committed by the Fulani. Indeed, this is a wakeup call to him and his government.
