By Ayodele Oni
The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, is on his own, and may not be speaking the mind of his boss on his recent outburst which gave tactical backing to some wayward Fulani Herdsmen terrorizing Nigerians.
Ondo state Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, said on Channels Television programme, monitored in Akure, that only unregistered Fulani herdsmen were asked to vacate the forests.
“Ondo State Government did not ask Fulani to leave the state. The Governor said herdsmen who are unregistered should leave our forests.
“The statement from Garba Shehu is a brazen display of emotional attachments and it’s very inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
” We need to clearly define actions on the part of the Federal Government to decimate the erroneous impression that the inspiration of these criminal elements masquerading as herdsmen is that of power. Our unity is threatened, no doubt.
“Shehu’s statement states in a breath that the Governor fights crime with passion while it is prevaricating on the atrocities.
“The question is: are the herdsmen who are perpetrating murder, kidnapping and robbery more important than Government, and even the Federal Government in this case?
“Ethnic nationality and activism on the part of anyone hiding under the Presidency, or Federal Government is an ill wind,” the Commissioner added.
“One thing is certain. The President would not have directed that statement, and I want to believe that Garba Shehu didn’t issue that statement that would have been a very dangerous one. ”
Governor Akeredolu had in the wake of the constant brazen kidnapping and killings in Ondo by alleged Herdsmen, given them seven days to vacate Ondo forests.
