Nigeria’s former Vice President advocates peaceful coexistence in Jos … as Lagos assembly commiserates with opposition party over loss of state executives

By Akinboye Akintola

Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has condemned the recurring attacks in Jos, Plateau state, while sympathizing with the families of the victims.

Alhaji Atiku in a post on his verified social media handle described the recent attacks as an affront on national security.

He noted that since Plateau state remain the Nigeria’s pride, it should not be allowed to become a theatre of blood-letting.

The All Progressives Congress, APC-controlled states have agreed to allocate fifteen percent of their annual budgets for health care delivery.

The decision was reached during a meeting in Abuja, tagged, improving primary health care delivery in APC States.

In a Communiqué by the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Raji Razaq and the Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Mallam Salihu Lukeman, the meeting agreed that each of the APC States should undertake the establishment of sustainable health care financing system and health emergency trust fund.

The Youth wing of Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says the Igboland would welcome law-abiding Fulani herdsmen ready to do businesses in the South East region.

Deputy National President of the Youth Wing, Mr. Onwuasoanya Jones who made this public in a statement in Owerri, said the manner some people have painted the Igbo as unreceptive of the Fulani was not true.

While expressing the body’s support for the ban on open-grazing in Igboland and the policy of the government of the region to foster peaceful co-existence between the herders and farmers, Mr. Jones warned individuals desirous of using the issue of cattle grazing to stoke ethnic crisis, to desist.

Ahead of the September first timeline set by the Southern Governors Forum for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all member States, a member of Lagos State Assembly, Mr. Victor Akande has advised the Forum to establish ranches in their respective states, where deviant herders would be made to operate and pay.

The Southern Governors’ Forum had in May reiterated the ban on open grazing in Lagos State after their maiden meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

In a chat with Issues in Politics, Mr. Akande explained that setting up of ranches by state governments would serve as a means of generating revenue for the states.

“For the clarity of purpose, the state governors have the powers to protect lives and properties of their people without modicum of fear.”

“The order to discover the old routes in 25 states, would not supersede the constitution, in a situation where herders are armed and mesmerizing the people, such order would not work. Mr President has not made any pronouncement, he wants to see how those routes will affect the people.

“These routes were existing when the lands are fallow and today they have been overtaken by development.

“So I want to advise the State to have an expanse of lands for ranching when those herders are caught , you take them to the ranches and they will have to pay. By this, the governments will generate income,” Akande stated.

Mr. Akande who is the Chairman, Lagos assembly Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, Human Rights and LASIEC, maintained that the ban on open grazing would be effective, if the punitive measures would make provision for arrest of defaulters, who should be made to pay heavily while operating on the established ranches.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Lagos State Assembly, Chief Mudashiru Obasa, has commiserated with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state over the loss of its officials in different circumstances.

PDP recently announced the passage of its Lagos chairman, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, the state secretary, Prince Muiz Shodipe-Dosunmu, the Lagos West vice chairman, Alhaji Monsuru Ajagbe and its women leader in the state, Yeye Shola Oladehinbo.

The party also lost its local government Chairmen for Badagry, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Lagos Mainland and Apapa.

Chief Obasa in a condolence letter, urged the party to remain strong and prayed for the repose of the departed souls.

The Speaker further urged the party not to abandon all those left behind by the deceased as this was the time to show them love.

Still on a sad note, gunmen have reportedly killed the son of the Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial district, Senator Bala Na’allah.

An aide to Senator Na’Allah, Malam Garba Mohammed, confirmed the killing of the trained pilot.

It was gathered that suspected Bandits killed Captain Abdulkarim Bala Na’Allah at his residence in Kaduna State.

This development came few days after the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA also in Kaduna, was attacked by bandits leading to the death of military Personnel and the abduction of a senior military officer.