Deji Elumoye in Abuja and James Sowole in Akure
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has backed the one-week ultimatum given by the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, to herdsmen to vacate the forests in the state.
This is coming as farmers, forest guards and the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state have staged a protest in support of the governor’s decision to eject herdsmen from all the forest reserves in the state.
In a statement issued yesterday entitled: ‘SMBLF warns FG on Herdsmen’, the Forum frowned at the ‘dangerous game’ the federal government is playing over its overt support for Miyetti Allah to violate the lawful order of Ondo State Government banning grazing in its forest reserves.
There was a solidarity rally in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday as commercial drivers, forest guards, farmers and traders stormed the streets to express support for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu order to herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the state within seven days.
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Forest guards, farmers and commercial drivers in Akure have staged a protest on Thursday in support of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s order for Fulani herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves in seven days.
The protesting crowd blocked the streets and carried placards telling their governor not to rescind his directive.
Speaking at the protest, chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Jacob Adejo, said commercial drivers were no longer safe in the state.
It will be recalled that on Tuesday, there was a statement from the Federal Government saying that the governor is not expected to oust Fulani herders from Ondo forests or he will go against the constitution of the country.