The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has threatened to file a petition against President Muhammadu Buhari, at the United Nations over the proposed Ruga settlement policy for herdsmen in Nigeria.

It was gathered that the Imo state chapter of CAN alleged that the RUGA settlement programme has been strategized by the federal government to freely create settlements for the Fulanis in the 36 states of the federation.

Speaking in Owerri over the weekend, the Imo state secretary of CAN, Reverend Eches Divine Eches, called on the five governors of the south east states to quickly convene an emergency meeting.

Eches said the governors during their meeting should jointly and publicly reject the move to establish Ruga settlements for herdsmen in states across Nigeria.

“We, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Imo state chapter, are saying no to the Ruga policy of President Muhammadu Buhari," Eches said.

Although, the presidency on Sunday, June 30, defended the controversial Ruga settlements programme embarked on by the Federal Government in collaboration with some state governments.

According to a statement released by the senior special assistant to the president, Garba Shehu, the initiative was not meant to serve the interest of the Fulani ethnic group alone. The presidency also stated that Ruga was “voluntary,” saying that no state was forced to give up land for the project.