We are Edo International Congress (EIC), a pan-Edo socio-cultural group based in Nigeria and the Diaspora. We want to state through the medium of this press release that EIC wholly rejects the Federal Government’s proposed RUGA settlements aimed for the strict benefit of the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria. Edo people will never again be deceived to partake in any arrangement like the 1914 amalgamation agreement, which has undoubtedly become an albatross on all acceding ethnic nationalities. Edo people will not allow or be a party to the contrivance of the Fulani oligarchs in their devious plan. There will be no Fulani settlement in any part of Edo land. It is that simple because Edo land belongs to the indigenous Edo people, with a long and rich history. We are not willing to and will not cede any part of our land to any ethnic group in any form of arrangement, be it conceived by any government under the pretext of economic or peaceful co-existence.

We have been following and carefully studied the statements from the Office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the various officials of the Federal Government, organizations of Fulani herdsmen and other nomadic groups on the issue of RUGA. As a result, we categorically reject in its entirety the concept of “grazing colony” intended for the Fulani herdsmen, which will entail a confiscation of Edo land for the implementation of the proposed disingenuous plan of the Federal Government. Our Land is our only source of livelihood; our ancestorstended the land with care and bequeathed it to us, the present generation of Edo children. It is our solemn obligation to defend and protect the land and then pass every inch of it to the future generation of Edo people.

It needs to be pointed out that while it is a state in Nigeria, Edo is an ethnic nationality. Therefore, Edo land belongs to Edo indigenes, unless where such is lawfully transferred in a business sale or transaction. For this and other unexpressed reasons, we reject and will do whatever is necessary to secure and protect Edo land and people from any incursion disguised as RUGA. At this juncture, we want to commend Edo State government under the leadership of his Excellency Mr. Godwin Obaseki for its courage in articulating the collective will of Edo people in rejecting the ill-proposed RUGA project, otherwise known as the Fulani colony. As people of Edo origin, we accede to and support the position of Edo State government on this issue and proclaim as follows:

• We reject with vehemence and disdain the diabolic proposal of the Federal Government of Nigeria aimed at confiscating the ancestral lands of indigenous people and owners for the sole benefit of the Fulani people.

• We further reject and condemn in its entirety any attempt to replicate in Edo land the RUGA model of the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which has basically appropriated the land of the original owners to the nomadic Fulani herdsmen. To add salt to injury of indigenes of the Kachia Local Government Areas, the name of Kachia Grazing Reserve was changed to LADUGA, a Fulani name. Laduga is so vast and populated by only the Fulanis that they had two registration machines in the last presidential election. Additionally, they have a district head and are petitioning for an emirate.

• Edo land is for Edo people and will be for generations of Edo to come. Edo people will not be a party to the ill-contrived plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari to benefit the Fulanis at the expense of other Nigerians, which is what the contemplated resettlement of the Fulani herdsmen is intended.

• The Fulani antecedent in countries such as Guinea, Mali and Central African Republic is that of war and total destruction, and their action in northern Nigeria is that of total dominance of the indigenous people who accommodated them.

• The Federal Government of Nigeria is not engaging in any project of national interest and benefit for which an eminent domain right could be considered. As a result, it does not have the right to and cannot expropriate the ancestral land of indigenous people for the settlement and grazing of the Fulani herdsmen, as that will be tantamount to robbing Peter to pay Paul.

• Edo State members holding an appointed or elected position at the local, state, and national level must not for self-interest and enrichment mortgage the future of Edo people through any form of accord or understanding with the Federal Government of Nigeria or any private or public groups for the purpose of ceding any part of Edo land at the expense of our people in fulfillment of the Fulani agenda of the Buhari’s administration.

• It is understandable that President Buhari has decided to suspend the whole program. However, it is still worrisome that he has not condemned the whole idea of RUGA. As a result, our people must become more vigilant to avoid being caught unaware.

• In furtherance of our assertions, we enjoin the Federal Government of Nigeria to take cognizance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in items 2 (b) and (c) of Article 8, Article 10, and Article 26, which forbidsany government the rights to take land forcibly from indigenous people and transfer same to another ethnic group. Edo land is ancestral to Edo indigenous people, and the Nigerian government has no right to either through inducement, coercion and any other form to take our land.

The increased spate of violence by the Fulani herdsmen on the Nigerian people and for which the Federal Government has paid a deaf ear is a stern protestation of the Nigerian federal government’s lack of resolve and will to ensure peace and equanimity for the Nigerian people. On the light of the above facts, we categorically affirm that no part of Edo land will be ceded for the settlement of the Fulani herdsmen either for grazing or settlement. We hereby reject and condemn in the strongest possible terms the contrived RUGA plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria to appropriate the land of the indigenous people of the various ethnic nationalities in Nigeria to the wandering Fulani herdsmen.

SIGNED BY:

Osagie Owen Odeh, President
Bishop Stephen Aghahowa, International Coordinator
Kienuwa Obaseki, Vice President
Leslie Woghiren, Public Relation Officer
Dame Helyn Woghiren, Woman Leader
Julius Obasohan, Secretary
Dan Harper, Financial Secretary
Hilary Evbayiro, Member
Frank Guobadia, Member
Ese Erinmwingbovo, Member
Victor Adodo, Member