Afenifere’s spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, in a statement berated the ACF for stocking the embers of war.
“While we have gone to a great length to sue for peace and have appealed to our pained people to be law abiding, even with the daily provocations of the Fulani and harassment of our people, we frown at the very arrogant and insulting ACF statement, especially their reference to the event of 1966.
“We must make it clear to them that they cannot threaten us with a war at this stage as we will not provoke war, but never are we going to run for anybody on our land.
“We are miffed that a body like ACF that has never shown any remorse over the killing of our people can open their mouths anyhow now because there are consequences for the irresponsible actions of their people.
“We advise them to call their criminals to order and not expect our people to sheepishly wait to be killed by those who value cow lives more than human beings.
“We do not want a repeat of 1966 event but if there are people plotting such event again, the rain will be over their heads”, the statement added.
OBSERVERS TIMES recalled, Governor Akeredolu had given herders seven days ultimatum to vacate the forest reserves in the state.
The governor also banned night grazing with immediate effect.
The governor, in a statement released on Monday, said the decision was based on the state of insecurity in Ondo State.
Akeredolu noted that bad elements had turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom, and carrying out other criminal activities.
“All Forest Reserves in the state are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January 2021,” Akeredolu said.
But, the presidency and Governor Akeredolu headed for a showdown over the ultimatum.
While the presidency said the governor had no constitutional powers to ask anybody to leave the state or any part of the state, the governor insisted that his seven days ultimatum would stay.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in Abuja, the presidency maintained that asking the herders to leave could set off a chain of events, which the constitution anticipated and tried to guard against.