The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has blamed Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN ) for the botched attempt to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state .
MBF’s President, Dr Pogu Bitrus who briefed reporters in Abuja claimed that the unfortunate development was in line with the desire by the aforementioned groups opposed to the anti – open grazing law to render Benue state into an orgy of violence and ungovernable.
According to him : “ It would appear that the federal government is implementing the avowed agenda of Miyetti Allah. The Police takeover of the state House of Assembly to facilitate the conduct of proceedings by a minority of 8 members is calculated to instigate lawlessness, precipitate crises and killings and use that as an excuse to declare a state of emergency in Benue state .”
Bitrus view was reinforced by a former member of the House of Representatives and member of the group , Mr Jonathan Asake who made reference to the insistence by the Minister of Defence , Maj- Gen Mansur Dan – Ali that there was the need to repeal the anti – open grazing law to ensure lasting peace in Benue state .
Bitrus who likened the involvement of the police in the impeachment saga as akin to a declaration of war on the people of the middle Belt by the federal government called for the immediate sack of the Inspector General of Police , Mr Ibrahim Idris.
“ This Inspector General of Police clearly lacks the men and comportment to command a civil police force under a democratic dispensation , ” He stressed.
Calling on well – meaning Nigerians to rise in defence of democratic rule in the country , he urged Governor Ortom to approach the High court to ensure that the eight lawmakers that attempted to commence his impeachment process are made to face the wrath of the law .
He also called on the united nations (UN ), the African Union (AU) and the economic community of West African States (ECOWAS ) to save the country from descent into anarchy and despotism under the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration .
©Guardian
