Enugu, Nigeria – The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the leading socio-cultural youth organization of the Igbo people, has vehemently rejected the proposed creation of the Ministry of Livestock by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The OYC has described the initiative as a “tribal time bomb” that could lead to tribal conflict and war.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu, the National President General of OYC, Igboayaka Igboayaka, urged President Tinubu to abandon the idea, warning that it could incite a tribal war between the Fulanis and other tribes in Nigeria. Igboayaka referenced former President Muhammadu Buhari’s attempt to implement RUGA, which faced strong resistance from Nigerians.
Igboayaka stated, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should hasten to cancel the proposed Ministry of Livestock, which has been initiated by ethnic land grabbers of the Fulani political oligarchy through Miyetti Allah.” He criticized the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms on July 9, 2024, as a covert attempt to reintroduce RUGA under the guise of agricultural productivity.
He pointed out the historical conflicts between Yoruba farmers and Fulani herders, expressing concern that the creation of the Ministry of Livestock could further arm Fulani herders and institutionalize a threat to Yoruba farmers.
Igboayaka further argued that the proposal was influenced by the same cabals who have pushed for the establishment of RUGA for over a decade, from the administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is unfortunate and unacceptable to create ministries or agencies according to the interests of one section of the country or a particular tribe, rather than for national interest,” he said. Igboayaka emphasized that the proposed ministry is a means for the Fulani to grab lands under the pretext of agricultural purposes.
He stressed that the South-East would strongly resist any form of cattle colony that serves the interests of Fulani herders, vowing to oppose any attempt to institutionalize Fulani community settlements in Igbo land with the last pint of their blood.
Igboayaka called on other ethnic groups, especially those in the Middle Belt, who have also been affected by Fulani herders’ activities, to unite in resisting the implementation of the livestock reform.