The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu to issue a presidential order directing security agencies to enhance protection for pastoralist communities across Nigeria. In a statement issued by MACBAN’s National Secretary-General, Alhaji Bello Gotomo, the association expressed deep concern over ongoing ethnic profiling, discrimination, and unlawful arrests targeting herders, particularly citing recent incidents such as the inhumane treatment of pastoralists at Opere Market in Kabba, Kogi State.
Gotomo urged the Federal Government and the office of the National Security Adviser to implement concrete measures to halt the stigmatization and scapegoating of pastoralists, emphasizing that all citizens deserve justice, accountability, and protection regardless of ethnicity. The association also called on the National Human Rights Commission and the international community to intervene urgently to address these violations.
This appeal comes amid heightened tensions in various states, including Ondo and others, where herders have been accused of violent acts, yet MACBAN cautions against collective blame, stressing that criminals exist in every community and peaceful herders should not be treated as suspects by default. The call for a presidential directive aims to ensure the safety and security of herders while promoting peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farming communities nationwide.
Wike Warns PDP Is Unprepared for 2027 Elections, Calls for Unity and Stronger Structure Within Party
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not prepared for the 2027 general elections, citing the party’s lack of a formidable structure and internal cohesion. Speaking during a live media session in Abuja, Wike dismissed the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar clinching the PDP presidential ticket, arguing that Nigerians have already rejected Atiku’s blueprint and that the party cannot continue to rely on a single individual for leadership. He questioned, “Did he not present it before Nigerians? Did Nigerians choose him? He is lobbying for another chance, but the chance will not be there. In which party? How can we rely on one man for so many years?”
Wike’s comments highlight deepening divisions within the PDP, with the minister openly challenging Atiku’s influence and warning against sidelining key stakeholders. He likened the situation to the U.S. Republican Party’s internal dynamics, stressing that effective opposition requires more than criticism and that the PDP must address its internal crisis to be a credible alternative in 2027.
The remarks have sparked sharp responses from Atiku’s supporters, who insist that Wike cannot determine the party’s direction or its presidential candidate, and accuse him of working to destabilize the PDP from within. Nonetheless, Wike maintains that the party’s inability to unite and build a robust structure will hinder its prospects in the next election cycle, underscoring the urgent need for reconciliation and strategic planning if the PDP is to mount a serious challenge in 2027.
