Traditional rulers in Ondo State on Thursday declared that Fulanis just like any other ethnic groups are free to live and conduct their legitimate businesses anywhere in the country including Ondo state.
The traditional rulers who declared support on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s directive on herdsmen to vacate government reserves within seven days said the Fulanis must respect the private property rights of the people.
Reading a communique issued after an emergency meeting of the traditional rulers, Oba Kadiri Momoh, the Olukare of Ikare, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to show to the world that he is a father of all irrespective of ethnic affiliation as well as cautioned his aides to exercise restraints on issues that border on insecurity in the country.
The communique urged Governors in the South West region, the South West caucus in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to use constitutional means to rein in the rampaging criminals masquerading as herdsmen across the region.
It condemned what it termed a deliberate attempt by some persons to twist the Governor’s clear directive in respect of government reserves that the Fulanis have been asked to leave our state.
According to the communique, “It is to be noted that even the indigenes of Ondo State do not have a right to use the forest reserves without due authorisation.”