Benue’s Take-home Message for Buhari

Stakeholders in Benue State took no prisoners, when at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, last week, they gave him a piece of their mind. George Okoh reports

President Mohammadu Buhari’s trip to Benue a few days ago came amidst criticisms. It was one spurred by the president’s perceived slow decision to visit the state in the wake of recent attacks on the people by suspected herdsmen. It would take the president nearly three months after the New Year killings and the burial of 73 people in Guma and Logo local government areas to show concern. And when he eventually came, the entire Makurdi metropolis was literally shut down with heavy security presence.

The president came in with his retinue of aides and landed at the Tactical Air Command Base, from where he headed straight to the Government House for a meeting with stakeholders on the clashes between farmers and herders. Sadly, the president’s visit was, however, greeted with another round of killing of two Mobile Police officers in Tse-Oragbo, Nyiev council of Guma Local Government Area of the state.

An eye witness from the area said herdsmen carried out the attack few minutes to the arrival of Buhari to the state. The killings and other previous once have left the state helpless in the hands of the herdsmen. Most resident are of the view that the president’s trip might have some political undertone.

A day before his visit, the Benue State Government had released a programme of events showing that the president was going to pay homage to the Tor Tiv and other traditional rulers in the Tor Tiv Palace and also visit the Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) Camps in Makurdi as well as the operations office of the Ayem Akpatuma also known as exercise Cat Race – a military exercise to tackle the herdsmen menace and restore peace in the state.

But shortly before his arrival all his schedules were cancelled, leaving only his meeting with the stakeholders. “It was clear to all to see that the president was a reluctant visitor, who had earlier abandoned the people despite a loud cry for help from the people and the state government,” said Ejimbi Oko Oloja, a legal practitioner.

The government and people of the state had expected that the president would have been proactive by meeting some of the earlier demands made by the governor. This is because at the outbreak of the recent attack and killings of people in the state, which has been adduced to a disagreement between the state government and Fulani herdsmen over the state’s anti-open grazing and ranching law, the state government had banned open grazing of livestock and had encouraged ranching through a bill that went through due process and was passed by the state assembly.

The herdsmen however kicked against it and promised to occupy the state. The state government had alleged that a socio-cultural group of the Fulani known as Miyatti Allah Katal Hore was behind the attack in the state and demanded for their arrest, which has not been done. With this situation, it was obvious the populace were not excited about the president’s coming. This was clear to all to see as the people went their various businesses, leaving the street nearly empty.

“We are not happy and the president did nothing but send compromised security agencies to protect us,” said Oloja.

The people’s anger was further aroused few days to the visit, when herdsmen killed 26 people in Omusu, Okpokwu Local Government. Thus, pundits view the president’s visit as an opportunity for the state to get back at the president and which they did. But speakers after speakers laid bare their feelings about the crisis in the state.

Benson Abouno

First to speak was Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abouno, who told the president that Benue State was happy to welcome him. “We believe you are here because you have heard our cry. Your children have been in pain and today, as a worthy father, you have heard our cry. We know your coming will not only grease but soothe the pains of grieving Benue people. They know today that the chief Sheriff of Nigeria is in town and this will send very strong signal to the perpetrators. We know you are on the path to resolving the crisis once and for all.”

Professor James Ayatse

The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse said: “Mr. President I want to add an appeal as a father. The anti-open grazing law, I want to appeal to Mr. President that if there is something that is dear to the heart of Benue people, it is that law. I say it because I was here through the process and the agitation and the House of Assembly had to be occupied for days for them to pass that law. So, it is really the people’s law and I want to passionately appeal to do everything possible to support the implementation of that law. It is not the governor’s law.”

Paul Unongo

Former Minister of Steel, Paul Unongo said: “Your Excellency, the land mass of your country is not increasing, the population is. If you do not effectively put an end to the phenomena of herdsmen militia and you take what is happening in North East of Borno, Yobe and you know what is happening, you will discover you are having a terrible country very far from your dream. Mr. President, the people of Benue under the leadership of Governor Ortom, like my brother, who spoke earlier, I am very pleased.

“The only thing I want to stress is that your governor, whatever he is portrayed to you is not your enemy. He is under threat as a very competent, very capable and very totally loyal person to you, please help him. The law was not made to be anti-Fulani. I am a product of a Fulani man from Kano and a Tiv man from Kwande and I am the leader of Tiv people. Mr. President, your son, Ortom is misunderstood by some of your security agents particularly the leader of the police. He is sincerely under objective threat and you will discover that if you do not support him and your security doesn’t support him, he could well be hurt. Don’t allow that to happen on your watch.”

Atom Kpera

Former Governor of Benue State, retired General Atom Kpera also said, “Mr. President, I know how swiftly you acted when it was reported to you that there was a problem of cattle rustlers in Zanfara State. You adorned yourself in a smart military uniform, a civil general, in fact a field marshal and you went there and swiftly took action and I believe that you would have done the same when you came to know that Benue State was under threat.

Your citizens here were being wiped off and I remember that you swiftly directed the Inspector General of Police to relocate to Benue and keep you well informed of everything that was going on there. Your Excellency, the IG did not do what you sent him. He stayed for less than twenty four hours in Benue State and relocated to Nasarawa and gave you the impression and he said it loudly several times that what he saw was a mere communal clash.”

John Dyegh

Hon John Dyegh, member representing Gboko/Tarka in the National Assembly explained that “I am representing the eleven members of the green chambers and let me straight away say the Benue people are peace loving. As I stand here, I am the one standing in the place of the seat that was once given to a Borno man, whose son is here with us. That is to prove a point that the Benue people and indeed the Tiv people are peace loving.

“Let me as a legislator talk about the rule of law. We know the President respects laws. He is the chief fighter of corruption in Nigeria. I want to say that some years ago when Zamfara made a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol, prostitution and all that in that state, the President then General Obasanjo was under pressure to stop that law from being implemented and he said publicly no; anybody that is against this law can go to court and that is civil.

“Having said that, it is disgusting that a chief law enforcer; it is unfortunate that he is not here, the IGP will stand up and say the law is unenforceable; that the killings in Benue are a result of this law. It is unfortunate. It is not good. I mean that is making us not feel like Nigerians. Mr. President, with that statement and with the quietness of the presidency, we are threatened. I feel threatened. We don’t feel we are Nigerians. We need your protection Mr. President.”

George Akume

Former Governor of Benue State and senator, George Akume, told the president thus: “Your Excellency, you could recall that Senator David Mark was Senate President while Suswam was the Chief Security of the State, yet the Tiv people voted for you in 2015.

“We have no federal project in Benue State; Ortom does not make law, Benue People made the law. JS Tarka fought for the unity of our country, Nigeria. Mr. President, the Tiv people are not happy about your reaction towards the killing of Tiv farmers by Fulani herdsman.”

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe

A Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe said, “I talk here as a religious leader and church leader. We are instruments in the hands of God for the service of peace, reconciliation and justice. We have listened to all those, who have spoken here since the beginning and today is a day after the Presidential Committee on Farmers and Herdsmen came here on the 11th of February 2018, headed by the Governor of Ebonyi State. And I feel they must have related to you their findings and outcome.

“I believe you are here to seek peace and find solution but I know your coming to Benue is very important and good. But if you had just said a word from Abuja, this problem would have been solved since. A word from you would have been enough. You didn’t need to take the pains to be here on this crisis note. One word would have been okay. You have done that before in many places.

“Here in August of 2017, we had a flood disaster in Benue and we saw the presence of federal government with relief materials. Now, in January 2018, we had the blood disaster and we never heard a word. We the church leaders are at the receiving end because all the displaced persons come for the aid of the church but I know it seems if I may say we are pursuing ideologies in this country and not looking at history but ideology generates war.”

Elizabeth Shuluwa

“Mr. President, I stand here today to talk on behalf of the women, children and the aged of Benue State. Ours is a cry, Mr. President that we have cried since the eve of New Year, the black New Year in Benue State, 2018. On that day, Mr. President, your mothers and women and daughters and children and the aged of Benue State woke up to a horrendous news, news of maiming and killings by marauding herdsmen and they just didn’t kill the men that were like them, they killed my sisters, pregnant women, defenseless old men and Mr. President, if you were not a soldier, I would have said you are in that category because you are also in your seventies and we categorise them as old sir. They were among those killed, butchered, their eyes gouged out. Mr President, we cried, we wailed.

“Thank you sir, for coming, but like Mary said to Jesus, when he came to their home at the death of her brother, Lazarus, she said my Lord if you were here my brother would not have died. I know that Mr. President, you are the father of Nigeria; you are the father of all Nigerian citizens. Today, that you are here, I will say to you directly sir that if you were here, this genocide that has taken place in Benue State on New Year day wouldn’t have occurred.”

Edward Ujege

Secretary General of HIV Sociology Cultural Group, Edward Ujege said, “Your Excellency, Mr. President, on behalf of the three main sociocultural Associations namely: the Mzough u Tiv, Idoma National Forum and the Ominiyi Igede, we want to tell you one thing. You may not be unaware of the wanton killings of our people and destruction of property that had lingered for over fifteen years in Benue State. As a result of the killings, the people of the State led by the three socio-cultural organisations demanded the state government to put in place necessary measures that will stop the carnage.

“This started at the time when probably Agatu was very hard hit. This demand was first made in 2014 to the immediate past Governor of the State Hon. Gabriel Suswam, who himself was attacked and almost killed by the herdsmen. We are also grateful to the State House of Assembly. Therefore, we are informing you that this law was not made by His Excellency, Samuel Ortom, who heeded to the demand of our people to assent to the law passed by the Benue State House after due course. Rather, we believe he is one of the best servants of this nation,” and went on to make demands, five of them.

Terlumun Akputu

“I come here in representative capacity as the Chairman of more than two million peasant farmers in Benue State, who have elected me as Chairman of Peasant farmers Association of Nigeria. I am standing before you with a heavy heart being a victim myself along with my members. I want to affirm at this gathering that President Muhammadu Buhari is from our constituency. Never since 1999 especially has a President been elected as a direct product of the masses, peasant farmers, artisans, market women and market men. Our surprise is that immediately the President assumed office the elites gathered in Abuja and started implementing an agenda against us, the farmers.

“We chose to heed to the Government of Buhari by being law abiding and accommodating but alas, this is the situation we have found ourselves. Mr. President, the situation in Benue State now is that more than one hundred and sixty thousands of my members are refugees under the rain and sunshine. Now, of this figure, more than forty thousand are vulnerable children and women. The danger is that our children are not going to school. The danger is that the children of the poor and the children of members of this your constituency, risk not competing with their peers anywhere in the world for the next fifty years.”

Gen Lawrence Onoja

A former Governor of Plateau and Niger States, General Lawrence Onoja, said, “Mr. President, your governor, Samuel Ortom is a very good governor. All he did was according to the wishes of his people. Why do countries or states make laws? We make laws to sanitise the society and to make sure there is justice. So, for those who know, the term law cannot precipitate violence. So, for those who say it is the law that precipitated the violence, perhaps, they need to be more educated. That law was made to benefit farmers and herdsmen.”

Rev Akpen Leva

The CAN Chairman in Benue State, Rev Akpen Leva said, “Mr. President, in 2015, we mobilised the Christian community in Benue State against our brother to vote for you. When you were sick, we organised a three-day prayer and fasting service in conjunction with Benue State Government for your quick recovery. We thank God that you are here today, looking more healthy and active to pilot the affairs of the nation. Mr. President, the church has asked me to advise you and Nigerians.

“There is too much bloodshed in Nigeria. You have to act fast. Please strengthen your security apparatus before it is too late. Secondly, because of the killings, more than 500 churches in Benue had been destroyed. One wonder, is it only for grazing? We are demanding for adequate compensation to enable us build these churches back and other infrastructure. Also, as a church, we believe that the only thing that can bring peace between farmers and herdsmen is the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law.”

Samuel Ortom

“Although concerted attacks on communities in the state commenced in 2011, between 2013 and 2017, 47 attacks were recorded and over 1,878 men, women and children were slaughtered in cold blood across 14 Local Government Areas of the State. Another 750 were seriously wounded while 200 were missing. Over 99,427 households were affected. We have lost an average of 47% of Internally Generated Revenues due to attacks by armed herdsmen in the State. This underscores the problem between herdsmen and farmers. It was clear to us that increased population, shrinking arable land, global warming and desertification as well as the need to diversify the economy through farming, all make open grazing unattractive.

“Through consultations and research, we discovered that the global best practice for animal husbandry is Ranching. Top countries in the global cattle business such as India, Brazil, USA, South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe are known to practice ranching. It takes proper care of Livestock to ensure quality meat and dairy products and minimises cattle rustling. Your Excellency, this is the logic behind our popular Law, ‘Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017’. I urge anyone, who has a superior method other than Ranching to bring it to the table. The Law duly passed by the Benue State House of Assembly reflects the wishes of the Benue people.

“On 30th May, 2017, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, at a ‘World Press Conference’ held in Abuja, opposed the Ranching Law. They called on Fulani herders in all of West Africa to come into Benue to help them reclaim their land. In the same vein, Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association in their Press Conference declared that more blood will flow in Benue if the Ranching law is not rescinded.  Your Excellency, as a President that supports the Rule of Law, you will most certainly be offended by these hate speeches that may have crossed the red line. Your Excellency, how can a group claim responsibility for the killings that happened and are going about scot free?

“How can a group make public these inciting and criminal declarations in an organised society and are not arrested by the Police? Your Excellency, kindly order the immediate arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association for carrying out their threats to attack Benue on account of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.

“Recent Security Reports before Your Excellency, indicate that the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) is an accomplice in the massacres in Benue State. If these Reports on Benue and other parts of the country are true, they have enormous implications for national security. There may be a need to strengthen the enforcement of the ECOWAS Protocol by directing the Nigeria Immigration Service to do the needful,” he said.

The President’s Response

Buhari informed his audience that the relationship between farmers and herders of cattle will continue, adding that it behooves all to keep encouraging all parties to continue to live together peacefully. He said God had put farmers, herdsmen and Nigerians together, adding that collectively, all sides could live peacefully by accommodating one another.

“Governor Ortom has succeeded in passing the buck to me and I have heard all he has to say. I have made notes. But loyalty is a two-way traffic. I was also visited by two senators and people from the state and I have come to visit the people. As leaders, we have to be loyal to people below you. What I did when I heard of the killings, I called the IG and gave him a directive to come to Benue. I did not know that he did not stay here for more than 24 hours.

“I am, however, appealing to all to show more restraint. The relationship between farmers and herders will continue. It behooves us to keep encouraging ourselves to continue to live together peacefully,” he said.

He said he had friends from Benue State and there was no way he would deliberately overlook what was happening in the state and other parts of the country. The president pledged that the federal government would continue to address the issue of rural development and make sure that farmers were empowered.

He also said the meeting was not the best place to expose the inefficiency of his appointees and appealed to the Benue people to exercise restraint and live in peace with their neighbours. He promised to do his best to tackle insecurity in the land, but denied insinuations that he had overlooked the killings in Benue, saying he was genuinely worried about them.

Related Articles