Media war between the governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo and president Muhammadu Buhari may soon have begun with the governor responding to the president’s statement that Akeredolu could not threaten the herdsmen with ejection order.
Akeredolu on Monday issued a seven-day ultimatum for the Fulani herdsmen to leave Ondo forest reserves purportedly on reasons of security.
Reacting to Buhari’s response, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo insisted in a statement, that the presidency was ’emotionally attached to Fulani herdsmen’ and inimical to the existence of Nigeria.
According to the commissioner, the presidency was “unambiguous, on the position of the federal government.
“The 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 brazen display of emotional attachments and it’s very inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“We need clearly defined 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.
“It (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 statement reads.
