As confirmation that Nigeria has embarked on an orgy of “gaslighting”, the “Saturday Sun” newspaper of January 30, 2021 carried with big bold headline on its front page: “WE’LL BANISH YORUBAS FROM THE NORTH IF …”- Professor Umar Labdo – Fulani activist.
Professor Umar Labdo, a renowned Fulani activist, is bothered by the welfare of his people, whether as herders or settlers in any part of Nigeria. A Professor of Islamic Political Thought, at the Yusuf MaitamaSule University, Kano, he is never known to be silent on issues that affect the interests of Fulani or when they are under any form of threat. In this interview with Desmond Mgboh in his office, he condemned the expulsion notice issued to herders in the forest of the South West just as he insisted that Nigerians have a right to reside in any part of the country they may choose. He threatened that if South West people insist on the expulsion of Fulani from their region, they in turn, would have no option but to expel Yoruba people from the North.
What is your thought on the present crisis between the Fulani in the South West and their host?
I think the expulsion notice is wrong, especially coming from a leader like a whole state governor. It is very, very wrong of him to stereotype a whole tribe or a whole community just because some criminal activities are taking place or are traced to some members of this community. This is a wrong approach to problem-solving and it will only create another new problem without solving the problem for which it was intended to solve. Now, if you follow what is happening in South-Western Nigeria, you will quickly notice that it is not only the governor, there are other actors who are also trying to do the same thing, that is, the expulsion of the Fulani from South Western Nigeria. Of course, you have heard of one Sunday Igboho.
This guy is not an official of the government. He is an ordinary citizen, although he may be speaking for an organisation. I hear some people connecting his name to Odua Republic. He is also issuing an ultimatum to Fulani to leave Yorubaland. What is more disturbing is that his own utterances and words are encouraging some people to take the law into their hands. I am sure you know of the murder of the three Fulani- just some three or four days ago and it came on the heels of the statement made by this Sunday man. I think that it is very bad for Yoruba land to have a warlord and a whole state governor speaking on the same wavelength. Even if he is a thug and he can break the law; but what about the governor, a senior lawyer for that matter. He should be speaking differently from a thug. On the whole, I think that what the Ondo State governor did is not helpful and it is not respectable. Insecurity is everywhere in Nigeria and it is the duty of the state governor to be concerned, and also to think of ways to secure the lives and property of his people. No one doubts that. But then, there should be more than one way of doing things. There is the solution of reasonable people in government and the solution of ordinary people on the street. They should not be the same.
At some point in the recent time, there was a clash, where perhaps the Fulani herdsmen resisted and dared the South-West security organisation. Wouldn’t you think that this was also responsible for heightening the fears of the people of the host community and complicating the crisis?
Well, if the host community attacks you, what do you do? Of course, you defend yourself. Just because you are a settler or you do not belong to the community does not warrant that those who are your host should attack you. Instead, both the host community and the Fulani should resort to dialogue. Let me tell you wherever the Fulani are resident, they have their leaders, they have what we call Sarkin Fulani and this same Sarkin Fulani, as you know, was one of the people that were given expulsion notice. So I think if the Fulani are attacked anywhere, they have the natural right to defend themselves.
Have you heard the comments of the leadership of Miyetti Allah? It is certainly not sounding as conciliatory as your comment. What do you have to say on this?
Miyetti Allah is an organisation. It is supposed to represent herders. But here, we are talking about Fulani. Although the deadline given to Fulani is directed at the herders, then, Fulani are Fulani, whether they are herders or they are settled Fulani. Fulani is Fulani. So we are talking about a whole community being stereotyped as criminals. That is what I think is very, very wrong and dangerous at the same time. This is because if you stereotype a people, what usually follows is genocide. This is a well-known fact of history. It happened between Tutus and Hutus. The moment you say Fulani, everybody will be ready with their sticks, with their arrows, and with their arms.
The approach adopted by the Fulani in their relation to their host, is it any better than the approach of the Yoruba to them? Are the Fulani in Yoruba land friendly, law-abiding, and ready to relate? I want you to relate this to the daring statements coming from Miyetti Allah.
Well, I don’t really know, they may be overreacting. But the fact that they stated that they have a right to graze, is correct. Just as you have the right to reside in Kano and to do your business in Kano, every Nigerian has a right…
(Cuts in)…to do my business lawfully, not unlawfully?
