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Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido says Fulani are being persecuted in Nigeria because President Muhammadu Buhari is of the same ethnic stock.
Lamido stated this on Thursday while reacting yo allegations against Fulani herdsmen in the South West region.
Fulani Herders have been accused of kidnapping for ransom and killing people in the South West.
Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredelu, had issued a seven-day ultimatum to herders to vacate forest reserves in the state over rising insecurity, while in Oyo State, a Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho also issued an eviction notice to Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa area of the state.
Making reference to the ultimatums, Lamido said the Fulani people are being treated unjustly for being of the same tribe as the president even though not all Fulanis support Buhari.
“They are reading Fulani through Buhari, who is also a Fulani tribe. They failed to understand that not every Fulani that supports Buhari. Even me, I am a Fulani tribe but did not vote for Buhari.
“But what Fulani are going through in this country is unfortunate. We are being persecuted, abused, endangered, called names, just because Buhari is from us. This is not fair, this is unjust.
“Today, Nigerians are so blindfolded by the hate and apparent dislikes of Fulanis because of President Buhari’s misgovernance, forgetting that not all Fulanis voted for him or likes him,” Lamido said.
The former governor asked why those who helped the president secure power in 2015 have kept mum over the travails of Fulanis in the South West.
“Why have those from South, who brought Buhari to power in 2015 failed to defend his people. Where are the Tinubus, Fasholas, Amaechis, Ngiges, Soyinkas, Rochas among others, why can’t they protect Buhari’s people?” Lamido said.