Bauchi Governor Slams Akeredolu, Says Nigerians Don’t Need Permission To Live In Ondo Forests

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed on Friday said Nigerians don't need the permission of Governor Romiti Akeredolu or any other governor to reside anywhere in the country. 

Bala Mohammed who stated this while speaking on Channels Television ‘Sunrise Daily’ said herdsmen don’t need any governors permission to live in any forest in the South-west.

He said, “Land is in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle everywhere.

"You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere.”

It could be recalled that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had ordered all herdsmen to vacate the state forest reserves or register with the state government in a bid to sanitise Ondo forests of killer herdsmen accused of sundry crimes such as kidnappings, killings, rape, amongst others in the state.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Governor Defends Carrying Of Ak47 By Fulani Herdsmen

The development, however,  generated outrage with the Presidency and some governors including Mohammed saying Akeredolu lacked the right to issue a vacation notice to herders in the state.

AllNews had earlier reported that Akeredolu had also slammed Mohammed for saying herders have the right to bear AK-47 rifle for self-protection.

Reacting to Akeredolu comments, the Bauchi State governor said that “when we mention AK-47, it is a figure of speech, the issue is protection, self-help, you must protect yourself”.

“The Fulani man is so exposed, dehumanised and demonised. He is being seen as a bandit and so anywhere he goes, his commonwealth which I call his cows are being taken and rustled and sometimes they are fined beyond your imagination and then he has no option than to protect himself,” the governor added.

Nigerians don't need the permission of governors to settle anywhere. You don't need the permission of the Governor of Bauchi or Ondo to be in the forest of Bauchi or Ondo if you choose to live in the forest- Governor Bala.@SunriseDailyNow#CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/iLEXLNL4Cw

— Channels Television (@channelstv) February 19, 2021