A human rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) has urged the federal government to not only suspend the proposed Ruga and National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), but totally discontinue it.
The group, in a press release made available to DAILY POST in Awka, Anambra State, pointed out that the project has been roundly rejected by Nigerians, and that the government would have no justification re-introducing it under any guise in the future.
The statement signed by the chairman board of trustees of the group, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi said, “We (Intersociety) still strongly holds that the two controversial programs of the Federal Government are a camouflage for the promotion and propagation of radical Islamism.
“Although the Government, as expected, has denied the existence of jihadist content or intent in the two controversial programmes, but its body language is very evidential and has continued to rubbish such denials.”
Intersociety stated that apart from a strong suspicion of jihadist content or intent, there is no other convincing reason whatsoever that can justify the programme, which they described as disastrous and riotous.
The group added that, “They should in their stead introduce National Program or Policy on Lands and Boundary Adjustments so as to address the age long land injustices against the Peoples of Southern Nigeria.
“Under the new national action plan or program being recommended, the Government should initiate a process by way of executive sponsored bill to the National Assembly with necessary constitutional amendments to cede the present States of Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara and FCT to Southern Nigeria.
“The States above named are originally part of the Forest Region of Nigeria as opposed to others known as the “People of Grassland of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Government is further called upon to carve or acquire enough lands from large landmass being held by present States of Borno and Yobe States in the Northeast to serve as new States for ‘indigenous’ Fulani Populations in Nigeria. All forms of cattle grazing routes southwards and middle belt wards shall be abolished,” the group said.
