The pan-northern socio-political organization, Northern Alternative Forum (NAF) is set to visit the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu over the recent 7-days ultimatum given to herders to vacate the state.
Akeredolu had on Monday issued a statement giving herdsmen seven days to vacate all forest reserves due to the high rate of kidnapping in the state.
The governor also banned the movement of cattle within cities and highways, as well as night grazing.
But reacting in a statement personally signed by the Northern Alternative Forum’s National Chairman, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, and made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja. Ibrahim noted that the forum has concluded plans to lead Northern delegation to Ondo State.
Ibrahim said Akeredolu, being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and indeed a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association could have been misinformed to issued such an unexpected ultimatum.
The statement read: “We at the Northern Alternative Forum has concluded plans to lead Northern delegations to meet Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for a reconciliation and dialogue over the recent issues brewing between the two historic brothers living in Ondo State.
“Fulani and the Yorubas have been together for decades and we should not allow such misunderstandings and or the work of enemies of peace to heighten tension between the two families.
“It is our duty as the leaders of both parties to seek for a peaceful way of addressing the impending crisis and to make sure that in so doing we did not violate the dictates of our great constitution.
“The Northern Alternative Forum is hereby pleading with His Excellency, Rotimi Akeredolu to critically study the whole incident so as for peace to reign between the Fulani and Yoruba. There will be a great understanding if proper road maps are made available.” he said
