‘Welcome To The Cow Republic Of Nigeria’- Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to reports that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) demanded N100 million.

Naija News had reported that Miyetti Allah admitted that the group demanded N100 billion from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Salah Alhassan, National Secretary of the group made this known after the federal government denied it had a conversation about money to end incessant herdsmen attacks around the country.

The group spoke during an interview with newsmen yesterday.

Alhassan said former President Goodluck Jonathan promised to give them the money and that was what informed their decision to support his re-election in 2015.

On if the money was meant to be hush money from the Federal Government, Alhassan said: “That is a mischievous statement. Do they pay money like that? Have they ever paid any money like that? That N100bn has been on the table for mini-ranches since 2014 when (former) President Goodluck Jonathan was trying to address the lingering crisis between farmers and herders.

“So, part of that money was, I think, used by state governors under the committee chaired by the then Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam. But I don’t think the bulk of the money has reached the pastoralists, the herders.

“As part of that policy, they (the Federal Government) are trying to see how they can now assist livestock producers to address farmers/herders conflicts via a policy.

“So, people now saying they have given Miyetti Allah N100bn to stop kidnappings are just being mischievous because from what we have observed, there are certain people that are twisting narratives.”

Reacting in a post on Twitter on Friday, Fani-Kayode wrote: “The Nat. Sec. of Miyetti Allah, Saleh Alhassan, has confirmed that his group demanded 100 billion naira from the FG for Fulani herdsmen.

“Welcome to the Cow Republic of Nigeria where violent, bloodthirsty jihadists, terrorists and butchers of men always get their way.”