Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has taken a swipe at the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu for issuing an ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen.
Governor Bala has said that every citizen has the right to reside anywhere in the country and they do not need the permission of any governor or the federal government.
Recall that Akeredolu had in January issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Fulani herdsmen residing in the forest and Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho had also led thousands to chase out herdsmen from the Igangan forest.
This had sparked outrage in the country. Stakeholders meeting between governors were held as a result of the violence that erupted in the South-west between the Yorubas and the Fulanis.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, February 19, the Governor said that under the provisions of the 1999 constitution any citizen can choose to settle anywhere.
In his words;
“Land is in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle everywhere. You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere.”
See video below;
Nigerians don't need the permission of governors to settle anywhere. You don't need the permission of the Governor of Bauchi or Ondo to be in the forest of Bauchi or Ondo if you choose to live in the forest- Governor Bala.@SunriseDailyNow#CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/iLEXLNL4Cw
— Channels Television (@channelstv) February 19, 2021