Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has warned armed Fulani herdsmen constituting nuisance across the nation to stay away from his state or face the consequences.
Fayose made this known while reading the Riot Act to the Fulani herdsmen at the World Press Freedom Day organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, held at the Dapo Aderogba hall, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor revealed that he had instructed his people to poison water with a particular brand of chemical used against fungal attacks in the event of any herdsmen attack in Ekiti.
Speaking on the topic: “Journalism and Politics; Two Sides Of A Coin,” Fayose called on Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves in the face of the incessant attacks by the Fulani herdsmen.
The recent attacks in Agatu area of Benue State and Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani in Enugu State have rendered hundreds of people dead, maimed and displaced and properties worth millions destroyed.
Fayose opined that the Boko Haram insurgents seemed to have changed their identity to Fulani herdsmen and ravaging communities.
He said: “It seems Boko Haram has changed identity to herdsmen now. You as journalists must speak out, the killings are under reported. Is it about the mass burial in Kaduna State, the Agatu saga or the recent killing which happened on Monday? Ask questions.”
Addressing his criticism of President Muhammed Buhari, Fayose said he had nothing against the personality of the president, but that the world democracy no longer paraded aged leaders, adding that Buhari could not use the panacea he adopted to tackle national problems over 30 years ago as head of state to solve current national challenges.
He said: “President Buhari is too old to rule this country and that is why there is problem in this country now. He is like my grandfather. Nigeria should not produce any president that is over 60 years.
“World democracy don’t parade octogenarians again. Young people should rise up to challenge the older generation. Maybe that is why there is a law that a pilot should not fly an aircraft after 65 years of age.”
He further implored journalists being the last hope of common man to hold politicians accountable and ask questions.
He said: “You are the last hope of common man. When journalists support looters, there is confusion of vision. Journalists should shy away from it. Bad politicians should be brought to justice. Don’t write about issues you don’t know. Don’t rely on what a politician told you of his supposed enemy and don’t inherit his enemies. Journalists must help bring corrupt politicians to justice.
“Politicians have no address and this is why it is possible for a politician to defect from PDP after 12 years to APC and is being celebrated as a saint. Journalists should stop supporting and having soft spots for political parties and politicians. Some of you have sympathy for PDP or APC. Don’t join our battle. You are the hope of the common man and the only thing they can enjoy.
“Journalists were being used for dirty jobs, advising them to remember that Nigerians needed them more than politicians.
“Nigeria needs you more than politicians. When you pervade the truth, Nigeria is in trouble. We are in the wrong direction in this country and it is time to keep all of us on course.
“Journalists need to put politicians on their toes. Anybody that encroaches our constitution must be brought to book; you must defend our constitution. The career of most journalists that dabbled into politics had been destroyed.
“This is an era of public governance and in the last 12 months, we have never had it so bad in this country. No fuel, no electricity and I can categorically tell you that we are in the wrong direction as Nigerians. I am pleading with you, save Nigeria.”
