CHAIRMAN of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi has said the creation of the communities was not proposed by the NGF.
This came amid the raging controversy over the commencement of the establishment of Ruga settlements for herdsmen across Nigeria.
He also said that accepting the proposal is voluntary, adding that Ruga is the brainchild of the National Food Security Council. Fayemi further said he was surprised that Taraba State governor, Mr Darius Ishiaku, kicked against Ruga, adding that the governor is a member of the council that mooted the idea. The Ekiti State helmsman, who said these on a Channels Television programme, described Ruga as a response to the problem of settlement herdsmen face.
His words: “Frankly, I will be surprised if you say the governor of Taraba State said that. Because the governor, my good brother, Governor Darius Ishiaku is on the National Food Security Council. He is a member of that council, and I believe this decision came of out the deliberation of that council. If anyone is saying that he doesn’t want it, to the best of my knowledge, it is a voluntary arrangement.”
Also speaking on a statement by the Benue State government on the matter, Fayemi added: “I am not going to get into any discussion over whether it is the right thing to do or not. It didn’t come out of Nigeria Governors Forum. It came out of the National Food Security Council’s agenda. And the National Food Security Council’s responsibility is really to ensure that we protect food production and help those with challenges. This is a proposal and a way of addressing the problem for those nomadic who need temporary shelter.”
