THE BEATING OF THE DRUMS OF WAR BY MACBAN AND THE CALL FOR DECISIVE ACTION

While enjoying the freedoms that our democracy bestows on us by freely holding and expressing diverse points of view on topical issues of governance, it should be noted that no group or interest, should be allowed to intimidate, harass or threaten violence against those who merely seek to lend their voices to the search for lasting peace through constitutional means. Each group or interest is free to participate in the democratic process of policy formulation by making representation to appropriate authority and lobbying the legislature for the passage of laws that are beneficial to their members but ultimately, respecting the fact that, in a democracy, the minority will always have its say while the majority have their way.

The threats of violence by the Miyyety Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) should therefore be condemned in very strong terms by government and adequately noted by security agencies.

Government, both at the state and federal level, should take appropriate measures in holding MACBAN responsible for any further attacks on farming communities while advising them to follow and respect democratic channels of airing their views as well as influencing public policy instead of bullying law abiding citizens with threats of violence.

A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION IN SECURING THE FUTURE

As we match forward towards actualizing this BAN, the Plateau Youth G17 Peace and Progressive Forum believes strongly that we most remain prayerful and committed. We most shun divisive antics and be alert to deliberate manipulations that aim to pitch us against one another and weaken us.

The future is indeed ours to build or destroy, we most therefore work collectively to defend our inheritance of a beautiful Plateau. We most be reminded that our political and ideological issues are only secondary to our survival as a people. We strongly state therefore that being PDP, APC or any other such inclination shouldn’t becloud our sense of patriotic duty to our state.

Let’s therefore, as Plateau Youths wake up with an even greater determination to press on towards the goal in securing our land by collectively demanding from our representatives in the Plateau State House of Assembly, a diligent and speedy passage of the law banning open grazing on the Plateau.

We are strongly of the inclination that this agitation is right and just as the overwhelming majority of the people are for this law to be enacted as a sure step towards lasting peace in the state.

We therefore wish to call on the state government to act without further delay in submitting what ever proposals it might have on this all important issue to the House of Assembly. This we believe will afford the house the opportunity to harmonize all existing submissions through the due legislative process of public hearings and come up with a law that is effective and acceptable to the vast majority of its citizens.

Make no mistake, we are at a critical threshold in our history and our actions or inactions today, surely will determine our future and that of generations yet unborn. We most therefore be united in one accord as no force under the sun can break our collective resolve to defend our land and our integrity as a people

#plateaulivesmatter
#Ourbrotherskeeper
#Banopengrazing

Dachung Musa Bagos
Convener, Plateau Youths G17 Peace and Progressive Forum
7th December 2017

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Plateau Youth G-17 Peace and Progressive Forum Cautions Miyetti Allah Group on Peace