The National President of the group, Muhammadu Kirowa stated this during a security summit organised by police service commission was particularly impressed with the performance of Chairman of southeast governors Forum, David Umahi
The national president of the group represented by the national secretary of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngalzarma said Umahi was able to create a good working relationship between the Fulani herdsmen and their respective South East hosts.
According to him the Ebonyi state governor was able to persuade his other counterparts in the Southeast to key in to his programme of peaceful coexistence.
He said that what the country needs today are visionary leaders like Umahi, who was represented by Kelechi Igwe his deputy.
The Secretary dispelled what he called media hyperbole and spread of falsehood of an imminent invasion of the Southeast by its members, MACBAN said: ” Southeast will not boil. If Southeast is going to boil we will not be at this summit in large numbers. Southeast is also not stubborn, otherwise we will not be here today ”
MACBAN posited that if all governors in Nigeria emulate what the Southeast governors are doing, “Nigeria will definitely come out quickly from the menace of insecurity the country is suffering.”
It applauded the governments of Enugu and Anambra states “for the establishment of peace and security committees with MACBAN fully represented to tackle any conflict that may arise between our members and host communities and I am sure these committees are working round the clock.”
MACBAN also called on its members to respect the traditions and culture of host communities and be open for dialogue at all times. “MACBAN stands for truth, just it and equity for all and does not and will not condone criminality even within its own fold.”
Governor Dave Umahi who was represented by his deputy Kelechi Igwe lamented that Nigeria is facing a very serious security challenge.
He said in all the zones, there is one security challenge or the other “if it is not rustlers, it is the herdsmen, if it is not bandits, it is armed robbers and kidnappers. There is even cyber criminals ravaging the internet.”
He admonished the MACBAN to prevail on its members to always respect the traditions, custom and culture of their host communities in order to have a sustainable relationship between the farmers and the herdsmen.
In a key note address by a commissioner in the Police Service Commission (PSC), Tommy Mom commended the Southeast governors for having done so much in the area of security.
“In comparison to most regions, the Southeast is blessed in several ways, but chiefly in the existence of a vibrant Governors Forum that provides the platform for conversations like this summit pointing out that Southeast is fairly much developed in terms of commerce.
Regis Anukwuoji/Enugu.
