Tinubu, South-West APC governors, leaders condemn separatist tendencies, calls for immediate restructure of Nigeria

By Our reporter| The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and governors from the south-west region on Sunday condemned separatist tendencies, violence in various parts of the country and called for immediate restructuring of the country.

The leaders who made the call at a meeting held at the Lagos House in Marina, expressed concerns over the insecurity situation in the country and asked the government to protect the victims.

Former chairman of the party, Bisi Akande while briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, noted that they have endorsed the position of the southern governors to ban open grazing and movement of cattle by foot, asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give support to those who want to set up ranching.

They also urged the Federal Government to consider the option of true federalism that would give more powers to the state governments.

True federalism, according to the APC leaders and governors, will help the states to better protect their territories.

Akande said, “We endorse the position of the Southern Governors taken at their summit in Asaba regarding ranching.

“We do so because such a decision will lessen tensions between farmers and herders while also helping the long-term economic viability of both the farming and herding communities.”

“We are mindful of the short-term dislocation this might cause but we are also mindful that this position is in the best interests of all parties concerned.

“We recommend that the Federal and state governments cooperate fully with one another to enact the necessary measures to encourage this more effective and modern method of cattle-rearing so that both farmers and herders can pursue their livelihoods with greater productivity and in a more cooperative relationship that minimises the friction between these two important pillars of our agricultural economy.”

Those who attended Sunday’s meeting include, APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu; former interim national chairman of the party, Bisi Akande; former Chief of Army Staff, General Alani Akinrinade; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as his counterparts in Ogun and Osun States, Dapo Abiodun and Adegboyega Oyetola, also attended the meeting.