Nigeria’s constitution allows Fulanis to live anywhere, says Yakasai

Elder statesman, Alhajji Tanko Yakasai on Wednesday in Kano,
faulted the call by the leadership of the Northern Elders Forum
(NEF) and the Coalition of the Northern Groups, asking Fulanis in
the southern part of the country to relocate to the North over fear
of being attacked.

The NEF and Coalition of Northern Groups on Tuesday jointly
expressed anxiety over plot to attack Fulani herdsmen in the South
and called for their vacation from that territory, in one
voice.

But Yakasai, a respected voice in the North and member of Board
of Trustees of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) dismissed the call,
arguing that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
allows everyone, including the Fulanis the choice of residing at
any part of the country.

According to a statement signed by Yakasai and made available to
journalists, “I wish to condemn in the strongest terms possible the
recent call by the Northern Group to Fulani people living in
Southern part of Nigeria to leave the area and return to the
North.

“Leadership of the Northern Group should be aware that the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has bestowed right
to every Nigerian to live in any part of the country he or she
wishes to reside and that no authority, group of people or an
individual no matter how highly placed can deny any Nigerian to
exercise this inalienable right.

“Section 4 of the constitution has guaranteed not only the right
for any Nigerian citizen to reside in any part of the country he so
wished.

“That section has also guaranteed to every Nigerian right to
hold and express opinion without let or hindrance. Like other
Nigerians; Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and members of other Nigerian ethnic
groups Fulani are indigenes of this country and are entitled to
enjoy all the rights and privileges other Nigerians are enjoying
and nobody can put any hindrance to prevent them from enjoying
those rights.

“I am a Hausaman not Fulani but I will defend the right of the
Fulani and other Nigerian people to enjoy all the rights I and
other Nigerians are enjoying.

“I appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to join me in this fight
so that together we shall make our country a place where our people
can live in peace and enjoy peaceful coexistence with one
another.

“I call on all northerners and other Nigerians to be weary of
the unpatriotic elements leaving within our minds, northerners and
non-northerners alike, who do not believe in the unity and oneness
of our beloved country not to allow themselves to be misled by the
antics of those unpatriotic elements who have nothing positive to
contribute towards making this country great.

“Our nation has all it takes to make it the envy of many. What
we lack is good leadership. I believe we shall one day overcome
this misfortune.

“We therefore need to direct our attention in creating ideal
leadership that can take us to the Promised Land. Many other
nations found themselves at one time in the kind of situation we
are presently experiencing they took up the challenge and overcome
their problems. Theirs is a different story today. We too can do it
and succeed.

“What we need is resolution to face the challenges and
determination to succeed. If others can succeed we too can. Long
live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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