••Miyetti Allah Decries Being Left Out of Governor’s Stakeholders’ Dialogue Amidst Insecurity

The Fulani community in Plateau State has voiced its strong disapproval over being excluded from a crucial security stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Monday. The meeting, held at the State Government House, aimed to foster collaboration between politicians, heads of security agencies, and traditional and community leaders to address the escalating attacks and killings in the state.
However, the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), led by its Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf-Babayo, issued a statement expressing their deep concern over the omission. MACBAN stated that they had expected the government to be inclusive of all stakeholders in its efforts to find lasting peace.
“We believe that the government, being a mother to all, should carry everyone along. It’s in this spirit that we find it unfair that critical stakeholders from other groups were present, while all relevant Fulani leaders and stakeholders in the state, including our organization, were overlooked and not invited to participate,” the herder group asserted.
Mr. Babayo emphasized that as key stakeholders, the Fulani community’s involvement would have been invaluable, providing an opportunity for their perspectives and concerns to be heard by government officials, security chiefs, and other participants.
“We are unaware of the reasons behind our exclusion and hope the government will consider engaging with the Fulani community in future meetings, ensuring inclusivity and fairness,” the MACBAN chairman concluded.

By John Audu

President Bola Tinubu is set to convene with service chiefs to address the escalating violence in Plateau, Benue, and other regions following his return from a two-week visit to Paris and London. The meeting aims to review the security situation and implement measures to curb the rising killings, which have claimed over 120 lives since April 2nd.
A top official confirmed that the President, who landed in Abuja on Monday night, has been receiving security briefings and issuing directives while abroad. The upcoming meeting will involve a comprehensive review of the security landscape.
The Presidency has pointed fingers at state governors, accusing them of underfunding security outfits despite receiving substantial security votes. Special Adviser Daniel Bwala criticized the paltry allocations given to security agencies compared to the large security votes, questioning the effective utilization of funds.
Bwala also challenged the clamor for state police, suggesting it masks weak local governance. He argued that existing security frameworks, if properly funded and utilized, could effectively address insecurity. He proposed that governors should invest in infrastructure, surveillance equipment, and local vigilante groups to bolster security.
Meanwhile, a call by former Chief of Army Staff Theophilus Danjuma for Nigerians to defend themselves against attacks has sparked controversy. While some, particularly in Plateau and Taraba, support self-defense due to perceived government inaction, others, like Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi, warn against the potential for anarchy.
Governor Namadi advocates for dialogue and community engagement, citing success in resolving farmer-herder conflicts in Jigawa. Similarly, the Nasarawa State Government believes its efforts have made self-defense unnecessary.
Retired generals offer varying perspectives. Some support community policing and structured neighborhood watch units comprising veterans. Others propose decentralizing security, empowering geopolitical zones to create their own security outfits.
The ongoing violence has triggered protests, notably in Jos, where residents demand government intervention to stop the killings. Governor Mutfwang has assured that those responsible will face justice.
The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom has urged President Tinubu to take decisive action to end the nationwide insecurity, while civil society groups call for collective action against the killings.

By John Audu.

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has publicly refuted rumors that he is considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Taking to his official social media accounts, Governor Lawal declared himself a “bona fide member” of the PDP and urged the public to disregard what he termed “fake news.” He stressed that his administration’s priority is delivering on its “RESCUE MISSION” for Zamfara State, not engaging in political distractions. The clarification comes after reports surfaced suggesting a potential move to the APC.

By John Audu

Solomon Semaka, the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on National Programs, Civil Society, Voter Education, and Strategic Interventions, has accused Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, of attempting to exploit Benue State for political advantage.

In a statement issued on Monday, Semaka criticized Obi’s planned visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state, dismissing it as a “political charity.” He suggested that Obi was masking political ambitions as humanitarian concerns, accusing the former governor of Anambra State of using the suffering of vulnerable Nigerians to further his political survival.

“Mr. Peter Obi cannot ambush Benue State with charity. Even the United Nations doesn’t operate with this kind of charity model. What he planned was nothing more than a political maneuver dressed up as humanitarian work. The people of Benue are wiser now,” Semaka stated.

His comments come amid the recent directive from Governor Hyacinth Alia, which banned unauthorized visits to the state by high-profile individuals due to security concerns. The governor emphasized that such measures were necessary to manage movements and protect the fragile security situation in the state.

Obi had expressed frustration over his inability to reach Governor Alia ahead of his planned visit to the IDP camps, a situation that Semaka dismissed as “bad charity etiquette” and an intentional attempt to force entry into the state without proper coordination.

Semaka reaffirmed the state’s commitment to its partnership with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that Governor Alia would not allow political distractions to disrupt ongoing governance efforts.

“Benue State is now in the hands of a bold, courageous, and fearless leader who will not be swayed by cheap political antics,” he added.