An Open Letter to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State by Abu Ruqayyah
His Excellency,
The Executive Governor of
Benue State,
Benue People House,
Makurdi,
Dear Governor Samuel Ortom, Sir,
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ENOUGH OF THE SILENT: THE HAUSA IN MAKURDI ARE PEACE LOVING PEOPLE NOT HERDSMEN/FARMERS.
Your Excellency sir, let me begin by registering my heartfelt condolence to you and the people of Benue State over the death of armless innocent Tivs, the victims of the recent suspected herdsmen attacks in Logo and Guma local government on 1st and 2nd of January, 2018. As the victims were given state mass burial on 11/01/18, I wish to join many peace loving Nigerians to condemn those killings and call for justice for all its victims. I pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the victims and fortitude to those who lost their loves ones.
Your Excellency sir, I am not a politician and cannot pretend to be one either. Some of your Special Advisers (SAs) in the Hausa Community Affairs and our community leaders will hardly present the true feelings of our people to you for fear of losing their jobs, relevancy or material benefits. Even though, from the surrounding circumstances, we are tempted to believe that your government is fully aware of the continue attack against the armless innocent hausas traders, cobblers, water sellers (mai ruwa), okadas etc around Wurukum and other tiv dominant areas in Makurdi by some miscreant individuals under the guess of reprisal on the recent herdsmen killing.
Since you are portraying yourself as a Man of God, who recently received a divine approval to contest for a second term, congratulations, but, this open letter will be of greater benefit to your government. This is because God is angry with you at the moment. You may wish to confirm, sir.
As Benue Hausa Indigene, born and grew up in Makurdi local government Benue State. I am angry, as every other Patriotic Nigerian, at any incidence of blood-letting and violence. I believes in the sacredness of human life, as enshrined in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith (saying and action of the Prophet peace be upon him). I regard with extreme repugnance any incidence that abridges people’s liberty to live their lives in total harmony with each other. Equally, I don’t subscribe to the activities ascribed to the Fulani herdsmen or the many other deadly and blood testing gangs that consistently work passionately to discomfort others, deliberately attack their innocent victims or abridge their existence in the state.
Your Excellency sir, I don’t support anything that vitiates the rights of others to live freely and unencumbered. In addition, the Makurdi Hausas are law abiding citizens and promoter of peaceful coexisting within the various tribes in the state. They only wish peace and development of the State not violence.
Your Excellency sir, I recall with a lot of displeasure how the Hausa Community voted for you massively in their numbers during the 2015 election. Also, it will interest you to know that the Hausa Community did not only voted for you, they passionately campaigned for you in their houses, business places, on a street and most dangerously inside mosques. The worst of it kind is when some Hausas tagged their brothers who are in a different political parties and decided not to vote for you as unbelievers (not muslims), just for the sake voting you into power. You see, the Hausa community like you, please investigate this fact.
I am saddened that despite all the massive support you gained from the Makurdi Hausa Community during 2015 election, the Hausas turn out to be an instrument of attack or victims by some blood testing gangs, any time Fulani Herdsmen and Tiv Farmers have communal clash. The Hausas have suddenly become their collateral. Sir, let the truth be told courageously that you have failed the Hausa community in all ramification considering their role in bringing you into power.
Your Excellency sir, for the benefit of doubt, permit me to states categorically that the Makurdi Hausa Community are neither herdsmen nor farmers. Why do they turn overnight to become collateral for the Tiv’s reprisal against purported herdsmen?
The recent unfortunate killing of some innocent Hausa tradesmen in Makurdi on 13th of January, 2018 and the sudden youths’ reaction is unprecedented in the history of Makurdi. For decades, the Tiv and Hausa are living peacefully with one another in the State, why is your government trying to change the age long status quo.
Sir, if this attacking/killing continue, the Makurdi Hausa Community will be compelled to accept the widely circulated notion that, you are a Governor and leader who is deliberately creating violence and killings through the Benue State Civilian Joint Task Force (BSJTF) now Livestock Guards. Also, you will be losing the changes of getting the Hausa Community votes come 2019.
Your Excellency sir, as Chief Security of the State, it is your primary duty to ensure the lives and properties of Benue people including the Hausas is protected. This is what you sworn to uphold and preserve, as such any contrary, the Hausas will not hesitate in holding you responsible for the continue threat to their lives and properties.
The so-called herdsmen issue is not political but criminal issues that must be treated accordingly. Sir, your government must unleash the full force of the state on criminals, wherever they are and deal within the ambit of law, but not to arm different militias in your state, paying 15,000.00 as monthly allowance and later owned them five months unpaid stipends. This a clear case of inviting permanent violence in the state, while chasing out peace within the various tribes.
Your Excellency sir, it is my humble advise that you must face the problem of Herdsmen/Farmers squarely by not politicizing them. Remember you are a Man of God, so, fear God and treat this problems as they come and not to colour them to suit nefarious interests.
The Makurdi Hausa Community are not asking for anything at this trial moment but PEACE AND UNITY. Human lives is precious and no one is supporting violence. We will not allow ourselves to fall into the traps of obnoxious politicians who are desperate to twist every issue for their asinine benefits even if it will escalates to religion crises.
Finally, I wish to call on the Benue State government to caution any spiritual leader and elderly statesmen from making inciting comment or speech which may lead to further attack or violence against the Hausas and Muslims generally. Let me assure you sir, that the Makurdi Hausa community are with you and support your government policy that are within the ambit of law and will be of benefit to the Benue people.
I pray the Almighty Allah to bring peace in Benue State and Nigeria in general.
Thank you and Happy New Year.
Abu Ruqayyah
14/01/2018
aburuqayyah66@gmail.com
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