Bala Muhammed's Statement Provocative, Elevates Cows Above Nigerians, Austin Osakue Fumes

 by John Ewah

President of the Foundation for Good Governance and social Change (FGGSC), Comrade Austin Osakue, today, held a world press conference to address the ignoble and sad commentary from the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed, who recently in a televised outing, stated in a most regrettable manner, that Fulani herdsmen have the right to move around with AK47 rifles.

Addressing members of the fourth estate, Comrade Osakue noted that it was shameful for a supposed Governor of a State, to utter such a divisive comment, which ostensibly compels Nigerians into resorting to self help. 

Comrade Osakue opined that Governor Bala Muhammed ought to have learnt from the Statesmanship and diplomacy demonstrated by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State few days ago, while addressing representatives of the Arewa Community in the State, which ordinarily should be the hallmark of those in authority. While Obaseki's approach was aimed at unification, Bala's approach is obviously aimed at  division as it beats the drums of war.

Contents of the press conference by Comrade Austin Osakue is summarized below;

"We wish to respond to the statement made by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohamed, to the effect that herdsmen have the right to own and brandish around AK47 rifles for the protection of their cows. Unequivocally, we condemn such reckless declaration and state in no uncertain terms that;

1. The statement is reckless, provocative, divisive and unbecoming of the status of a Governor in a pluralistic society like Nigeria. 

2. The statement has the potential of exacerbating ethnic and religious tension across Nigeria. 

3. The statement elevates the  status of cows far and above that of Nigerians.

4. The statement opens the floodgates of self-help for Nigerians of other ethnic divides and geographical zones, to resort to self-help and arm themselves. 

5. That the President Buhari's federal government has not reprimanded the Bauchi's Governor so far paints a scenario of the voice of Jacob but the Hand of Esau. 

6. How come one ethnic group constitute so much threat to the rest of Nigeria? Who are their backers. Why have repeated calls for ranches fallen on deaf ears? 

We call on the Buhari government to consult the history books. If it does, it will discover that the exact same events which led to the thirty-month civil war between 1967 and 1970 are playing out right now. Those who fail to learn from history will be forced to repeat it."

Comrade Osakue also noted that those who consider themselves victors of the Nigerian Civil War and as such proclaim themselves invincible and unconquerable in a prospective warfare, are deluded in their warmongering proclivities, as the current situation and clamours present a different scenario altogether.

Making reference to a quote from one of Ralph Waldo Emerson's classics, he opined, albeit literarily, that though the law clearly states that one should not steal, there is nowhere it is written in the law that one should go hungry.  Since it has become the stock in trade of herdsmen to destroy the crops and other means of livelihood of members of various Nigerian communities, especially in the South, then the people will have no choice but to defend themselves and protect their livelihoods.

According to Comrade Osakue, "We will not fear to negotiate, but we will not negotiate out of fear". He opined that if these crop of people have forcibly taken over Government, they cannot forcibly take over the land which is a means of livelihood to most Nigerians, and that any attempt to embark on such feudal coup will be vehemently resisted.