Disregard northern group’s threat on Ruga, Presidency tells Nigerians

The Presidency on Tuesday clarified that the National Livestock
Transformation Plan of the Federal Government was not
suspended.

While advising Nigerians not to worry about the 30 days
ultimatum given by the Coalition of Northern Groups over the Ruga
settlement project, the Presidency advised the CNG to respect the
Office of the President which, it said, took the decision in the
national interest.

The Senior Policy Adviser (Agriculture Interventions
Coordination) in the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Andrew
Kwasari, stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja
during a training session organised for the executives of Miyetti
Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and its officers in
eight states considered to be flashpoints.

The training programme, which was jointly organised by the
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, had as its theme: “Dialogue and
Negotiations: Why, when and how to be effective.”

Kwasari said, “The National Livestock Transformation Plan has
not been suspended. In fact, it has been enhanced because Mr
President, in his wisdom, has spoken and directed that this is the
plan that we should be working around to implement.

“We will need all-encompassing committee of the National
Economic Council, National Food Security Council, and the Federal
Executive Council working together to deliver this plan. So, for
us, this is the type of leadership that the country needs. So,
there is no mention of suspension whatsoever for the NLTP.”

The spokesperson for CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in giving the
30-day ultimatum to state governors to accept the Ruga programme,
had said the conspiracy to weaken the North had been perpetrated
with the active connivance of some leaders from the region.

But Kwasari dismissed the threat, saying a large section of the
citizenry was in solidarity with Buhari over the suspension of Ruga
policy.

He said, “I think the President has the overwhelming support and
his decision has resonated with the majority. I think we should not
worry about the threats. They don’t earn my respect in anyway, I
can’t support them. My support is for the President and the people
of Nigeria.

“Their threat is divisive, I think these people should listen to
the majority of this country and above all, accord respect to the
office of the President, if they are true citizens of this
country.

“The President took the decision to suspend the Ruga policy in
the interest and common good of all Nigerians. Are we supposed to
be concerned about rallying around the President who has taken a
decision or a portion of society that feels otherwise for
whatsoever reason? I don’t know whatever evidence that they
have.”

Asked if he would demand their arrest, Kwasari said he was sure
that the security architecture of the country had taken a strong
stance against hate speech and divisive rhetoric.

“So, I’m sure that the appropriate age cues are considering
whatever action they will take. What is within my power is to make
sure that the President’s directive is obeyed”, he stated.

The Country Manager of CHD, Babatunde Afolabi, said the 18
MACBAN leaders were chosen from “seven frontline states and Katsina
State.”

He said, “The training was informed by the need to build the
capacity of the stakeholders that we consider to be pivotal in the
peace process in Benue and Nasarawa states.

“If you are going to mediate in these two states in the
farmers-herders crisis, then you should be talking to MACBAN and
All Farmers’ Association with a view to building and enhancing
their capacity on mediation and dialogue.”

The National Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, told
journalists that “by training them, their capacity to mitigate
crisis will be thorough. The training is timely because peace
building is essential.”

“Peace is very essential in the communal peace and dialogue
plan. There has to be initiative that will bring about
understanding among communities, most importantly among the
pastoral communities and other communities in the country. What is
missing now is the peace that had existed in the past between the
pastoralists and the communities across the nation.”

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President Buhari Seeks Approval of 15 Special
Advisers

President seek approval for appointment of Special Advisers
President Mohammadu Buhari today submitted to the Senate request
for the appointment of Special Advisers.

Citing section 151 of the constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria 1999 as amended which confers on him the power to
appoint Special Advisers to assist him in the performance of his
functions, the President requested the kind consideration of the
distinguished Senators to appoint 15 Special Advisers.

The request is expected to be read tomorrow at plenary.

Also today at plenary, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad
Lawan, hinted at the possibility of the President sending his
ministerial list to the Senate this week. He says the executive arm
of government was working round the clock towards ensuring that the
Senate gets the ministerial list before the end of the week.

Charles Akpan
Deputy Director
The Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on National
Assembly Matters