Southern leaders shun Abdulsalami’s summit for inviting Miyetti Allah

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has turned down an
invitation to attend a security roundtable organised by a former
military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.),
scheduled for Minna, Niger State.

The roundtable slated for July 29 and 30 is expected to have in
attendance heads of security forces and other notable
Nigerians.

But the SMBLF, comprising pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere; Ohanaeze
Ndigbo; Pan-Niger Delta Forum; and the Middle Belt Forum, said it
would not be part of the event because the Miyetti Allah Cattle
Breeders Association of Nigeria was invited to the meeting.

The regional leaders said this in a statement co-signed by Chief
Edwin Clark (PANDEF); Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Afenifere); Chief Nnia
Nwodo (Ohanaeze); and Dr Bitrus Pogu (MBF) in Abuja on Sunday.

It read, “We thank you for your interest in the affairs of our
country which made us to accept your invitation in good faith.

“It was in the thick of our preparations for the journey that
fuller details of the roundtable came to our attention, some aspect
of which has necessitated this last minute communication with
you.

“We were comfortable up to that point until we saw the
following: Gan Allah Fulani Development Association; Miyetti Allah
Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.”

It added, “While we do not know the members of the first group,
the lumping of Miyetti Allah, a trade association for cattle
herders and whose members have been accused of various violations
of rights, including life, across the country sends worrying signal
to us.

“It falls into the categorisation of our respected
socio-cultural platforms with Miyetti Allah by Presidential
Spokesman, Garba Shehu.

“We consider the above a grave insult to our bodies and our
coming to a roundtable with the group would mean acquiescence to
the narrative that put us in the same bracket with those wielding
illegal AK-47 all over the country and inflicting terror on fellow
citizens.”

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