The Bauchi State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has alleged that the Fulani ethnic nationality is not only being marginalized in the scheme of things in the country but accused of committing virtually every crime.
This was stated, weekend, at the Bauchi South zonal meeting of the association, by its state chairman, Sadiq Ibrahim, declaring that governments at all levels have failed to avail the Fulani of social amenities, such as water for both human and animal consumption, roads, grazing lands and cattle routes, among others.
According to Ibrahim, the Fulani are the most peaceful tribe in Nigeria, adding that despite this, Fulani people have been living a life of depravation in the country.
He, however, called on Fulani people to form a united front to fight for their rights, as well as privileges they are entitled to as Nigerians, declaring that they have been pushed to the wall.
“We are calling on the Fulanis to forge a united front with a view to fighting for their rights and privileges as they have been relegated to the background.
“They have been pushed to the wall to stand upright and fight for social amenities government provides for others.
“The Fulani are the most peaceful and easily going tribe in the country but sadly, they have been deprived of social amenities as well as government’s economic welfare packages such as farming and industrial loan provision, among others.
“There is the need for unity of purpose among the Fulani as it relates to peaceful existence, curbing criminal and criminality in the society, as well as embracing government’s policies and programmes,” the Bauchi MACBAN chairman said.
Ibrahim lamented that over the years, successive governments at all levels failed to carry the Fulani along in the scheme of things.
He added that the government had not been capturing the needs of Fulani in annual budgets.
The MACBAN chairman said the zonal meeting was held in order to address the challenges of cattle rustling and other banditry activities rearing their ugly heads in the State.
Speaking at the meeting, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Adamu Manu Soro, said despite the fact that the State Executive Council had already approved the 2021 budget estimates, MACBAN should make its demands to the state government for possible fusion into the budget.
The commissioner, however, called on the Fulani and farmers in the State to live in peace, saying they should be united for the progress of the nation.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the state governor on political affairs, Bappah Haruna Disina, declared that there was no justification for the Fulani to be treated as outsiders in a country like Nigeria, where they have been for the past 400 years.
