The Northern Governors Forum has resolved to adopt a local-conflict resolution mechanism in trashing the lingering herders, farmers’ crises in parts of the country.
Blueprint learnt at the sidelines of the meeting of the Forum with the national leadership and state chapters of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association as part of efforts to find lasting solution to the continued clashes across the federation.
The meeting which was held in Sokoto had in attendance NGF chairman and Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, host governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Though no formal communiqué was issued at the end of the meeting, reports indicate that the gathering discussed the genesis of the crisis and efforts to contain, as well as how to entrench permanent solution.
In his opening remarks, Governor Shettima said the 19 northern states were worried by the rising cases of insecurity involving herders and farmers, and expressed optimism that their intervention would help in finding a lasting solution to the conflicts.
He said they were intervening in order to complement efforts of the federal government, saying they hoped to adopt a loca lconflict resolution mechanism to bring back trust and understanding among the various peoples of the region.
“We have seen enough crises in the North east with Boko Haram.
We cannot afford to allow the conflict linger without solution.
We hope to hear from all sides and finally come up with a workable plan that will restore confidence and entrench lasting peace in our region,” he added.
Revealing the position of MACBAN, a source at the meeting said: “The leadership of Miyetti Allah, led by the National President, Muhammed Kirowa, told the meeting that the approach to conflict resolution adopted by political leaders in some states is not helpful in finding lasting peace.
“In his views, political leaders, especially governors, should approach issues of peace on neutral perspective, not as bias party.
He said their members have lived in many of these conflict prone communities for centuries without conflict, but wondered why the situation was getting out of hand now,” the source added.
Reports indicate that although no resolution was reached at the Sokoto meeting, a new round of discussion will be scheduled to take place in Abuja, Jos, Makurdi and Kaduna in the coming weeks and months.
