Edo Election: Oshiomhole To Meet Miyetti Allah Leaders On Tuesday, Plots RUGA Settlement For Nine Edo LGs, Group Alleges
A socio-political group, the One Nigeria Movement (ONM) has accused the immediate past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole of plotting to concede lands in some Local Government areas in Edo State to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for the establishment of the controversial Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements for Fulani herdsmen.
According to a statement on Saturday, by its Convener General, Ahmed Sodiq-Mugoro and Secretary, Babatunde Aliyu, ONM alleged that a meeting was scheduled for next week Tuesday in Abuja between Oshiomhole and leaders of Miyetti Allah.
The ONM, which said it was compelled to raise the alarm over Oshiomhole’s desperate bid to deliver Edo State at all cost, disclosed that “support of the Miyetti Allah to the governorship candidate of the APC, Pastor Ize Iyamu, was being seen by Oshiomhole as very key, most especially because of his (Oshiomhole) vice presidential ambition.”
The group disclosed that the meeting will be attended by Miyetti Allah’s National President and Secretary, Bello Bodejo and Saleh Alhassan, respectively while Oshiomhole will be accompanied by a chieftain of the APC from Yobe State, whose identity is yet to be known.
Purpose of this meeting is to seek the support of the Cattle Breeders Association in mobilising herdsmen to be used to disrupt the September 19, 2020 elections in areas where the APC is seen as weak.
Also, Miyetti Allah is expected to mobilise its members in Kogi, Kwara and Edo States for the election, with Voters Cards to be made available for them for use, especially in Akoko Edo area of the State.
In return, Oshiomhole is expected to pledge support of Edo State under Pastor Ize-Iyamu, for the establishment of RUGA and the Miyetti Allah Vigilante Group, with provision of lands in nine local governments in the State, particularly within the Benin Kingdom.
Describing the plot as evil, the ONM, called on leadership of the Miyetti Allah to reject the plot to use its members as thugs to manipulate election, saying “killings, kidnappings and other criminal acts are already being attributed to herdsmen and it will not augur well for the image of the cattle breeders association for its members to be used to perpetrate electoral crimes in Edo or any other State.”
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