Lawmaker representing Barkin Ladi and Riyom Federal Constituency, in the National Assembly, Hon Simon Mwadkon
has said that many Nigerians view the waterway bill as an attempt by President Muhammadu Buhari to institutionalize hegemony of the Fulani in all parts of Nigeria, adding that the bill has not only been suspended but completely thrown away by the House of Representative.

The Lawmaker made this while speaking with Journalists in Jos on Friday.

In his words “I tend to agree with the Nigerians that said so, otherwise who will he give the water ways to? Why is the Federal Government bent on taking over waterways? People have said they heard from the grapevines that he wants to take the water ways, so that these Foreign Fulanis that are flocking into the country will come and settle there, and of course, it has political undertone.

He described it as inimical to the peace, progress and development of the country. The bill allows the Federal Government to take control of water ways, and quite a number of kilometers on either side of the water ways.

The Federal lawmaker said “It is at variance with the constitution of the country, because all land matters belong to the state. And the states are keeping the lands in trust for their citizens. The Federal Government has no land anywhere in this country. I hear Lai Mohammed saying there is no going back; I don’t know whether he is a legislator or may be the Federal Government wants to be a dictator.

“I have said it, that the bill is a time bomb; it is capable of throwing this country into confusion. The House of Reps has done its best; it has taken a decision on the bill, and has thrown it out, as far as I am concerned. By the rules of the House, the bill can never come again in this Assembly, except in another Assembly, perhaps the 10th Assembly; and if we are alive and there in the 10th Assembly, we would still do the needful to ensure that does not see the light of the day”, The Lawmaker affirmed.

He said, “Just consider that I am a riverine man, and I live along the river bank. You want to re-settle me from there and take it over? How about my means of livelihood? It’s just unreasonable. That bill is capable of bringing war to this country.”

On construction of railway from Nigeria to Republic of Niger, the Lawmaker described it as unreasonable, considering that “apart from Kaduna to Abuja railway which was constructed by the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, no other railway is complete within the country to connect the people to ease business”, adding that the one between Lagos and Ibadan is not yet completed.

“What is the motive behind the railway; what is the volume of business between Nigeria and Niger Republic when compared to the business between Nigeria and Benin Republic?” the Lawmaker queried.

He said, “Mind you, it is going to be constructed with borrowed money, which will be paid back with tax payers’ money eventually. Yet we have not been consulted as to why it should be done.

“I recall that in 2019 some Nigeriens were sponsored to Nigeria; and we were told they came in solidarity for President Buhari’s election, which to me, is a terrible thing. Has our sovereignty not been tampered with? If we have to bring people from other country to support our President, then something is wrong.

“Is the railway thing is to continue the agenda of bringing foreigners into Nigeria to decide our fate, and to perpetrate voting during elections?”

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Waterways bill, Railway to Rep of Niger, attempts to institutionalize Fulani Hegemony, – Lawmaker Mwadkon