A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has lambasted Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, for his reaction to suggestions he recently proffered on how to ended farmers/herders clashes in the country.
A statement on Wednesday from his media office and signed by Tunde Rahman, described Odumakin as a man suffering from selective amnesia.
He stated that the short and long term options for an enduring peace offered by Tinubu were suggestions for the consideration of the 2-day Conflict Resolution Summit, which ended on Tuesday in Abuja.
Rahman explained that the former Lagos governor did not mention South West in particular.
“What he said had a context to it: “Unoccupied, isolated land can quickly be turned into grazing areas in the affected states”. It is not only some states in the South West that are affected but several states across the country.
“Why Odumakin suddenly gets hot under the collar may not be far-fetched. The usual frenzy and self-righteous mentality he portrays is on full display. Perhaps next time he should read through the whole submission and caution himself from self-righteousness and displaying in full glare anarchical emotions.
“And if Odumakin’s delusion still allows him to read, perhaps a read though of the full chunk of what was said by Tinubu at the summit will educate him better. It’s as follows:
“SHORT TERM: The violence has thankfully subsided. Government must sustain wise policy and action to keep peace and prevent violent recurrences.
– Government must maintain reasonable and effective military and law enforcement presence in the affected areas. This presence should work with leaders of both the herder and farmer communities as well as traditional and religious leaders.
– Government should develop a comprehensive remedial/rehabilitation strategy for victims of the violent crisis.
– Government must help herders gradually shift from their traditional nomadic existence to a more static lifestyle. We have to face the reality that modernity is making the nomadic way counterproductive and inefficient.
– Unoccupied, isolated land can quickly be turned into grazing areas in the affected states. In the long run, this will enable herders to better maintain their livestock and thus their own livelihoods.
– Government should establish a permanent panel as a forum for farmers and herders to discuss their concerns and identify ways to mitigate contention. This will also help educate the general public.
LONG TERM: Nigeria needs to take the lead for Africa in international community for dealing with climate change.
– Water catchment and conservation systems must be developed. This includes the prudent use of dams and irrigation sub-systems maintainable at the local level.
– More water efficient farming techniques must be employed.
– Projects to protect the land for additional desertification must take adequate priority.”
According to Rahman, Tinubu added that “These recommendations are suggestive and not at all comprehensive. However, I think they convey the idea that dealing with the immediate crisis is essential.”
“But we also must position ourselves to deal with these larger forces which are at the deepest root of this challenge. If we cannot get to this root, our short-term efforts may be successful but over time they will be of decreasing utility.”
Comentários