Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
As part of efforts to find lasting solutions to the continued clashes between herders and farmers across the country, the Northern States Governors’ Forum has held a meeting with the national leadership and state chapters of the Miyetti Allah cattle Breeders Association.
The meeting, which was held in Sokoto, had in attendance Kashim Shettima; NSGF Chairman and Governor of Borno State, host governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and their counterparts from Kano (Abdullahi Ganduje), and Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
The gathering discussed the genesis of the crises, efforts to contain it and how to entrench permanent solution.
Shettima, while speaking said the 19 northern states are worried by the rising cases of insecurity involving herder and farmers, and expressed optimism that their intervention will help in finding lasting solution to the conflicts.
According to him, “We have seen enough crisis in the North-east with Boko Haram. We cannot afford to let any other conflict linger without a solution. We hope to hear from all sides and finally come up with a workable plan that will restore confidence and entrench lasting peace in our region.”
The Borno governor stressed that NGF was intervening in order to complement efforts of the federal government, adding that they hope to adopt local-conflict resolution mechanism to bring back trust and understanding among all the people of the region.
A source at the meeting said that the leadership of Miyetti Allah, led by the National President, Muhammed Kirowa, told the meeting that the approach to conflict resolution adopted by political leaders in some states is not helpful in finding lasting peace.
He said their members had lived in many of these conflict-prone communities for centuries without conflict, but wondered why the situation getting out of hand now
“In his views, political leaders, especially governors, should approach issues of peace in neutral perspective, not as biased party,” the source said.
