The Nasarawa State Council of Traditional Rulers have predicted that conflict ‘entrepreneurs’ benefitting from the farmers and herder’s crises would soon regret.
The leader of the delegation and Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo who made the disclosure when he led other traditional rulers on a condolence visit on Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom at Government House Makurdi on Wednesday, noted that Tiv and Fulani people were all created by God.
The Emir while recalling his early days in Makurdi where he attended his primary education also presented a condolence letter to Governor Ortom from his Nasarawa State counterpart, Engr Abdulahhi Sule.
He said the news of the death of the Och’Idoma, HRH, Alias Ikoyi Obekpa was unfortunate, not only to the family, Benue and Nasarawa states but the entire country.
The Emir also expressed appreciation to Governor Ortom for personally attending his coronation and the support he gave for the occasion which was a success even as he prayed to God to guide him through his administration.
Responding, Governor Samuel Ortom charged the indigenous Fulani people in Nigeria to speak out against the invasion of communities in the country by their kinsmen from foreign countries.
The Nasarawa State Traditional council visited the state to condole Governor Ortom and the Benue State traditional council over the ‘hunting expedition’ embarked upon by the Ochi iDoma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa.
Governor Ortom explained that the Tiv people, Fulani and other Nigerians had lived together peacefully until foreign Fulanis were allowed to move into the country unchecked to cause the current violence being witnessed in the country.
On the ranching law, Governor Ortom explained that the law is a win-win for herders and farmers as it prohibits open grazing and cattle rustling, stressing that the law does not spare any offender from prosecution, including the natives.
The Governor expressed appreciation for the visit, stressing that as brothers, it was incumbent on them to sympathize or rejoice with one another when the time permits, the reason he attended the coronation of the Emir of Keffi, Dr Chindo.
Governor Ortom acknowledged his Nasarawa State counterpart, Engr Abdullahi Sule for his efforts to ensure peace between people of the two states.
Governor Ortom said the traditional institutions also have a great role to play in the stability of the country.