The decision of the Federal Government to establish a radio station to exclusively serve Fulani herdsmen, has received a lot of criticism and condemnation, mostly from the legal side.
Three senior lawyers, Femi Falana, Ladi Rotimi-Williams and Monday Onyekachi Ubani, all ruled the decision illegal, because there was no evidence of due process in sourcing and securing public fund for the project.
They all also agreed that constitutionally, the policy might be breaching critical provisions of the rule book, regarding what the central government should be involved in.
SAN Falana in particular has a lot of harsh words for those trying to resolve criminality with preachment.
He said: “It is illegal, to the point that it was not budgeted for and I also agree that there are languages deemed official. But beyond that, it is totally misleading to want to settle the issue of criminality by preaching to those carrying arms. You can’t resolve the issue of people carrying guns by establishing a radio station. The only solution to the herders issue, is scientific and that solution is ranching like they do in Kenya, Mozambique and even Botswana, a country with a population of 1.76 million people and 2.8 million cattle.
“The herders don’t move around, because it is primitive and dangerous to allow cattle from Sokoto to Lagos.
“The children of the herders even go to school within the ranches and they are the largest producers of meat in Africa. To end violent clashes, no radio station can do it. The encroachment of Sahara desert forced them to move to the South.
“But there is also Kalahari desert in Botswana but because of ranches, there is no Fulanization allegation. They didn’t establish radio station. Our history doesn’t not support what the government is saying now.
“Ahmadu Bello’s ranch was in Mokwa, Awolowo’s ranch was in Akunnu in Ondo State, while Zik established the one in Obudu.
“The military destroyed the ranches, created grazing zones, which have been stolen by absentee farmers, many who are generals. Under the Jonathan administration, young people were sent to Botswana to study ranching and were not engaged when they completed their training.
“There was a certain N100 billion under Jonathan meant for ranches, which nobody can explain the whereabouts today. Buhari’s administration acquired 55,000 hectares in 11 states for ranches, not a single one has been established. This problem is self-inflicted and it can only be scientifically resolved through ranches. Those who are claiming that there are 1,000 Fulani settlements in the South-West, should please help the people by exposing those settlements, because the claim is doubtful since no one has seen any.
“The Buhari administration is to be fully blamed for abandoning the rule of law, which has created room for bandits, terrorists, armed robbers and kidnappers, to terrorize our people and Section 14 of the constitution says security and welfare of Nigerians shall be the primary purpose of government.”