- Ruga suspension is victory for peace loving Nigerians, against impunity – Ortom
The apex Igbo cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has asked the Federal Government to take immediate measures to disarm the Ak-47 trotting herders throughout the country.
While commending government for suspending the controversial planned establishment of RUGA settlements or herders colonies nationwide, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President General, Chief Emeka Attamah, the organization stated that:
“It is heartwarming to observe that for the first time the current leadership at the Federal level has deferred to people’s opinion on public issues.
Issues surrounding the suspended RUGA scheme indicate the importance of consulting the people before taking certain decisions that will affect them.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo is as worried about the restoration of peace between farmers and herders in the country as the Federal Government and believes that the ultimate solution to it is to embrace ranching.
The Federal Government should take immediate measures to disarm the Ak-47 trotting herders throughout the country
Government should carry out an audit of foreigners in the country and ascertain those with genuine entry papers, deport those illegally in the country as well as ensure that the nation’s borders are properly controlled and manned to avert further massive infiltration
As a process towards healing the present wounds and uniting the country, adequate compensation should be paid to relations of victims of the unwarranted killings in the country in recent times.”
Reacting, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom described the suspension of Ruga settlements plan by the Federal Government as victory for all peace- loving Nigerians.
The Governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary Terver Akase, stated the rejection of the Ruga settlement model was not personal but rather a struggle by Nigerians against impunity and injustice.
Ortom commended President Muhammadu Buhari for heeding to the call of Nigerians.
He said the decision to suspend the proposal shows that Buhari has heard the voices of majority of Nigerians on the matter.
He stated that truth has prevailed on the issue, quoting John 8: 32 “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
Governor Ortom urged the federal government to take a step further to encourage pastoralists and other livestock owners to embrace ranching as the best model of animal husbandry.
The Federal Government ha announced the suspension of the planned Ruga settlement project through President Muhammadu Buhari’s New Media aide, Bashir Ahmad, who confirmed the suspension on his verified Twitter handle.
He tweeted, “The Federal Government after consultations with stakeholders has suspended the RUGA Settlement Project, for now, Kebbi State Governor disclosed that after a meeting with Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.”
The Federal Government after consultations with stakeholders has suspended the RUGA Settlement Project, for now, Kebbi State Governor disclosed that after a meeting with Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) July 3, 2019
