MIDWEST MOVEMENT KICKS AGAINST PROPOSED FG’S PLAN TO SET UP RUGA SETTLEMENTS
OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Midwest Movement, a pan-Edo/Delta group of sons and daughters drawn from the Ethnic Nationalities of the old Midwestern Region has vehemently rejected plans by the Federal Government to annex vast expanses of lands in States across Nigeria to establish colonies known as RUGA Settlements for Fulani herders.
The Movement’s rejection is contained in a statement signed by Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, Convener of the Movement made available to National Reformer in Warri, the group noted that this is in swift reaction to a reported statement credited to Mohammed Umar, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development who reiterated the intention of the Federal Government to establish Ruga settlements in states across the country, within the next five years.
The Midwest Movement vehemently berated the proposed plan by the Ministry, they described the untoward plan as a brazen “21st century Colonization” just as it called called on the Federal Government to immediately rescind the veiled plan to colonize the people of region.
The Movement called on Governments of Edo and Delta States to reject the proposed plan in clear and unequivocal terms, the Movement was of the opinion that if the Federal Government wants to settle herdsmen or any other groups, she (Federal Government)should do(establish such) in areas and land that are native to such groups.
According to the Movement, “we call on the Federal Government to immediately rescind its planned veiled colonization of our peoples, while enjoining the Governments of our home-states of Edo and Delta to reject same in clear and unequivocal terms. While not opposing the desire of the Federal Government to settle nomadic herdsmen (and any other such groups whatsoever), these should be done in areas and land that are native to such groups. The planned aggregation in whatever guise, of the lands of the 12 ethnic nationalities of the Midwest Region of Nigeria, without recourse to consultations with the traditional and bonafide owners, is akin to an invasion.”
It could be recalled that this proposed plan of the Federal Government have attracted total rejection by all the five South-East state governors, Samuel Ortom (Benue); Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and the Ondo State Government, who have rejected the Ruga settlements, they are all on the same plane that they would not give out their land for herdsmen’s settlements in their states.
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Full Press Statement by Midwest Movement
PRESS STATEMENT
REJECTION OF FULANI RUGA SETTLEMENTS IN MIDWEST TERRITORIES OF DELTA & EDO STATES
The attention of the MIDWEST MOVEMENT, the pan-Edo/Delta group of distinguished sons and daughters drawn from the Ethnic Nationalities of the old Midwestern Region, has been drawn to the renewed plot by the Federal Government to forcefully or tacitly annex swaths of lands belonging to various ethnic nationalities in States across Nigeria, in a bid to settle Fulani herders in colonies to be known as RUGA Settlements.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Umar reiterated this untoward plan, on Tuesday 25th June 2019 in Abuja. Reportedly, The Federal Government within the next five years, plans to establish these said Ruga settlements in states across the country.
The Midwest Movement totally and unequivocally rejects this brazen “21st century Colonization” in its entirety!
We call on the Federal Government to immediately rescind its planned veiled colonization of our peoples, while enjoining the Governments of our home-states of Edo and Delta reject same in clear and unequivocal terms. While not opposing the desire of the Federal Government to settle nomadic herdsmen (and any other such groups whatsoever), these should be done in areas and land that are native to such groups. The planned aggregation in whatever guise, of the lands of the 12 ethnic nationalities of the Midwest Region of Nigeria, without recourse to consultations with the traditional and bonafide owners, is akin to an invasion.
As peace-loving people, and firm believers in a One Nigeria where peace, justice and equity reigns, the Midwest/Bendel peoples of Delta and Edo States firmly advice the Federal Government against the perpetuation of any policy that may impact negatively on the seeming already strained unity of the Nigerian federation.
We call on Mr. President, the Governors of both Edo and Delta States, our national legislators, our leaders, the international community and all persons of goodwill to help keep Nigerians and its indigenous peoples safe.
God bless Nigeria.
Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki.
Convener
