Don’t force Governors to accept proposed grazing reserves policy – Ondo CAN

THE Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ondo state chapter, on Wednesday, alleged that some state governors were being forced to accept the proposed grazing reserves policy of the Federal government in their states.

The body stated that despite popular voice against the proposal some state governor were being compelled to embrace the unpopular policy.

The Chairman of CAN in Ondo State, Reverend Ayo Oladapo who stated this yesterday in Akure, Ondo state capital, during his speech at a prayer summit organises to round off the 2018 Universal Week of Prayers, expressed disappointment over the Federal government attitude towards the massacre and killing in Benue.

Oladapo said it was disturbing that the Federal Government remained deaf and dump to the crying and wailing of the people on the massacre of about 70 people in Benue state by herdsmen.

He noted that the Federal Government did not deem it fit to fly the nation’s flag at half-mast to mourn the innocent lives that were cut short by herdsmen while all that was being done were recommendations that are inimical to the well being of the people.

He said “The Federal Government seems blind and deaf to the cries and agony of the people especially the killings by Fulani herdsmen and many religious attacks in the middle belts and in some states of this nation.

“The government is using machinery to suppress our people from defending themselves, this is injustice and corruption, 73 caskets of our brethren in Benue were carries by trucks for mass burial in a day and the National flag is flying up not at half mast.

“Most of our state governments are lame and helpless in this situation. They are been compelled to accept grazing colonies in their states”.

The CAN chairman, however, called on the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu not to accept the proposal, saying “God forbid, this will not see the light of the day; the Lord will fight for us. In Ondo State, we pray this will never happen.

“We pray God will give our government the boldness to say no to this and the courage to defend the people of the state from the hands of the oppressors.”

Also speaking, Pastor Sunday Popoola of the Word Communication Ministries, Ibadan, said the Church of God across the country condemned the killing and the sinful silence of the authority but called on President Muhammadu Buhari as the father of everyone to defend everyone.