Northern Governors to Nigerians: Stop labelling Fulanis as criminals

Governors of 19 Northern States rose from their meeting in Kaduna Friday, condemning the labelling of perpetrators of crimes around the country as Fulani people.

The Governors, who met behind closed doors said, as much as they condemn the recent attacks in Enugu and other parts of the country, they also condem labelling the those behind the attacks as Fulani people.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting at the Kaduna government House Friday evening, Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima said, it was an insult to label criminals as Fulani.

According to him, “We want to unequivocally condemn the recent killings in Enugu and other parts of the country. But we equally condemn the politicisation or permit me, the ‘ethinicisation’ of the whole crisis. It goes beyond Fulani. If anything happens, they say Fulani herdsmen; to me it is an insult.

“Kidnapping in this country originated in the South-east, were don’t they call Igbo kidnappers? We have a great national challenge and we want to call on all and sundry to come and let us solve our common challenges as a people. The blood of paternity that binds us together supersedes whatever differences that might divide us,”he stressed.

While condemning the Agatu killings, the NSGF Chairman charged the media to avoid sensationalism and harp on issues that bind the country Nigerians together.

On the legacies of the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Governor Shettima said they were doing everything possible to revive the New Nigerian Newspapers and Arewa Textile Limited.