The federal government has stirred up a hornet’s nest on social media after saying it has started establishing (Ruga) settlements for herdsmen across the nation.
The “Ruga settlement” idea is an initiative of the national economic council (NEC) presented under the national livestock transformation plan (2018-2027). It is aimed to address the incessant clashes between cattle rearers and farmers.
The model is said to be a component part of livestock development where states across the country give out lands which will serve as settlement for herdsmen.
Following the announcement of “Ruga settlement” on Tuesday, there have been a plethora of negative feedbacks from Nigerians.
Samuel Ortom, Benue governor is among the state executives in the south-east region to have rejected the cattle ranching initiative by the federal government.
Some Nigerians have also taken to social media platforms, especially Twitter, to register their annoyance on “Ruga settlement” and brandish it a move in the agenda to “Fulanize” the country.
“They want Ruga settlements for the Fulani and their cows? Is cattle business govt. business? They have taken everything from us: our nation,our dignity,our identity,our future,our destiny,our lives,our faith,our hope.And now they want to take away our land!,” said Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of aviation.
“I don’t get this Fulani Herdsmen Ruga BS at all. The North covers over 70% of the Nigeria Landmass. Sambisa Forest is a forest for a reason. Battle Terrorism & graze peacefully there. Why will you have 70% & still demand share from 30%? it’s either greediness or plain agenda,” a Twitter user said.
“If what I have read about RUGA settlement programme is true then anyone who thinks that Fulanization of Nigeria is not real is in for a rude shock. There must not be one single RUGA settlement in the South East. Fulanis don’t settle. They conquer their host,” another user said.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
They want Ruga settlements for the Fulani and their cows? Is cattle business govt. business? They have taken everything from us: our nation,our dignity,our identity,our future,our destiny,our lives,our faith,our hope.And now they want to take away our land!
AdvertisementNOT WITHOUT A FIGHT!
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) June 28, 2019
I don't get this Fulani Herdsmen Ruga BS at all.
AdvertisementThe North covers over 70% of the Nigeria Landmass. Sambisa Forest is a forest for a reason. Battle Terrorism & graze peacefully there.
Why will you have 70% & still demand share from 30%? it's either greediness or plain agenda.
— Amy (@AhmyPeace) June 27, 2019
If what I have read about RUGA settlement programme is true then anyone who thinks that Fulanization of Nigeria is not real, is in for a rude shock.
There must not be one single RUGA settlement in the South East. Fulanis don’t settle. They conquer their host! PT 1 . READ! pic.twitter.com/J0TFhERDTT
— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@kcnaija) June 27, 2019
FG sent delegates to Benue State to inform them abt plans to set up Ruga settlement for herdsmen, Benue State govt gave them a straight answer which was a big NO
Few days later FG brought in tractors to take over lands for Fulani herdsmen
Buhari is on a dangerous mission
— Maetrix (@MaetrixOgbu) June 27, 2019
We have not gotten over the special radio station for only herdsmen. Now, General @MBuhari wants to give them OUR land, at OUR cost for THEIR private Ruga business!
Not with OUR MONEY.
Not with OUR LAND.
Not in OUR NIGERIA.Please join me to say #HerdsmenWontGetNigerianLand
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 27, 2019
PMB of course is probably not getting accurate security reports on other tribes reactions to his RUGA plan or just being a typical Fulani man, filled with impunity and arrogance. If other leaders don't stop it, he is bringing our nation down on us all…. https://t.co/Nw59RSraE7
— Olushola Olufolabi (@olushola_shola) June 28, 2019
A school of thought believe that this RUGA settlement idea, is just a guise for those privileged with power, seeking rare & expensive land to settle their itinerant alien relatives. That view disturbed & challenged my thoughts throughout last night.
Good morning Twitter.— Olaudah Equiano® (@RealOlaudah) June 28, 2019
The Federal Government is forcefully taking land from states through the Ministry of Agriculture and rural development to establish RUGA settlements but most "woke" twitter aren't talking about it.
Lagos now has an Emir.
We would understand this better very soon.
— JuneBorg (@Shawn_fendi) June 28, 2019
The Buhari led government killed peaceful IPOB members extrajudicially but is pampering killer Fulani Herdsmen & even wants to build RUGA settlements for them nationwide.
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) June 28, 2019
I don't understand this RUGA policy of the Buhari admin :
Core North has the largest landmass and their Govs have a history in building mosques, sponsoring Hajj and building Emir's palaces for years but they can't build ranches for herders in the core North?— IKECHUKWU (@iykimo) June 27, 2019
For four years this government revolved round cows and their keepers. Four the remaining 3 years into the second tenure, cows again! #RUGA
— Osy Ejiofor HCI (@FredEjiofor) June 28, 2019
Dear @Papadonkee, The north and south tropicals are different. South has the abundance of good rainfall, while the north dosen't posses that. That's why we met FG to give us a #Ruga settlement in the south so we could take care of our cattles.
How are we disturbing?????????????? https://t.co/MLY2DBZ0y8
— Miyetti Allah (@MiyettiAllah_) June 28, 2019
#RUGA settlement cannot be established outside the constitution. The land does not belong to the Fed. but to the state. Entrepreneurs from other regions buy their property, they are not settled FOC in other regions. Why is the President eager to break rules for his ethnic group?
— Politicom (@Politbru) June 28, 2019
Hehe..
The good thing is your blabbering right here will always amount to nothing just like you can't do anything about the Fulfulde Radio station.#RUGA is a done deal
Ba A San ma ka nayi ba— Ibrahim D Modibbo (@dalhatu_modibbo) June 27, 2019
RUGA and Fulani herdsmen, you should know all these was in motion when you voted him in again. someone who didn't do anything in his first tenure, what do you think will be his motive in his second tenure. This is just a pawn move in his plan. #RUGA #FulaniHerdsMen
— Ilenikhena ehinomen (@Ilenikhenaehin1) June 28, 2019
#RUGA: Great & determined countries are in Japan for d G-20 Summit.Where is @MBuhari?In Aso Rock imposing & single-handledly wishing to establishing RUGA in 36States, Nigerians had asked 4 State Police, that’s not a matter 4 him but his fulanisation&islamisation.Failure& jihadist
— Mazi Ndy Olelewe (@NOlelewe) June 28, 2019
What's the essence of building countless number of dams in the North? Some LGAs in Kano, for instance, have 2 large dams built by the FG! Can't they make use of these dams to produce grasses year-round! What do they want to achieve with #RUGA?
— #RIPMama (@SamuelMbagwu) June 28, 2019
Who were the Senators that endorsed the Grazing bill?
Just so you know, Fulanis are taking over Nigeria.
They don't pay tax because their so-called cattle rearing business is for the Northern elites for which @MBuhari is a madt shareholder.#WakeUp #9jaSay No to #RUGA
— ÀDÙFÉ 🇨🇦🐬 (@Adufe_ga) June 28, 2019
Do I feel this pain alone? Herdsmen have access to rapid fire weapons and the best solution we could come up with is "Let them live with you"
We lost a good leader in @GEJonathan and promised to never doubt him again. And this is just the beginning of the term 😓#RUGA #NextLevel
— jC David 👑 (@JosephLeRoiJr) June 28, 2019
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