Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has accused the federal government of being always quick to defend the interest of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Fulani ethnicity over and above other ethnicities and tribe that make up the Nigerian state.

National Publicity Secretary of the group, Yinka Odumakin in a statement obtained by Peoples Gazette on Wednesday, said Aso Rock’s intervention on behalf of the Fulanis in Ondo state against the state government did not come as a surprise to the group.

Ondo Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had on Monday ordered herdsmen to immediately evacuate the state forest reserves.

The Gazette reported that Mr. Akeredolu’s decision to evacuate herdsmen from the forest was based on findings that herdsmen engaged in killings and kidnapping in the state were using the forests as hideout. The Governor also prohibits the movement of cattle within cities and highways.

Mr. Odumakin said it is unfortunate that the presidency and its spokesperson, Garba Shehu could only interprete the governor’s directive as sending the herders out of the state, saying the Aso Villa has “a serious problem with heating the rest of us when the issue involves its anointed Fulanis”.

He noted that in recent times,  Fulani criminals have caused serious havoc in the state and in other cities in the country, and only a reckless government like the federal government of Nigeria will continue to remain mute towards the situation in the country.

“Are Ondo Forest Reserves under Ondo state Government or FG and Miyetti Allah? We agree with the Ondo State Government that the insensibility of Garba Shehu violates the corporate existence of Nigeria”

The Yoruba group, however, questioned the effort made by the Buhari led-government to protect the lives of people, saying that the lives of Nigerians are regularly cut short by Fulani bandits without the government showing concern that the people’s life matters,  “with its desire to shield the Fulani from the laws.”

“Nobody would ever have believed that it would get to this irresponsible stage that the federal government will one come to this barbaric level Garba Shehu has taken it and the peak of their direct salvos against Amotekun since it started.” 

“All true-born Yoruba  should stand behind Governor Akeredolu in these trying times”. “He must do all within the law to flush Ondo forests of all criminals. Other GOVERNORS should emulate their chair and free our land from the Fulanis who have surrounded us with the shield of the FG,” Mr. Odumakin reiterated.

Garba Shehu on Tuesday said the Ondo governor lacks the power to evacuate herdsmen from the forest. 

The Gazette on Wednesday reported that Ondo government spokesperson, Donald Ojogo expressed displeasure at the presidency reaction. He accused President Buhari of being ’emotionally attached’ to herdsmen.