The former Aviation Minister and PDP Chief, Femi Fani Kayode (FFK) has paid a patriotic visit to the activist Sunday Igboho who is fighting to ensure that the mayhem constantly caused by the criminal elements among the herdsmen is put to a halt.
Fani Kayode who granted the press an interview after the visitation commended him for standing against the killings and also applauded in his speech by saying that he has shown to the world that Yoruba people are not cowards.
He said, “I have come to express my appreciation, and solidarity with somebody I believed has done the right thing without violating any law in this country because that’s very important. I don’t believe he has done that. And I think it’s right and proper for every Yoruba leader to show appreciation for the lives he has saved and for his pursuit for the people that are committing crimes.
When asked if there is no contradiction between Igboho’s action and the governor, he said, “there is no contradiction because I know governor as a peace loving, who is very serious about security matters and I have a proof for that, contrary to what some people say, I disagree with that. He has been proactive and in a difficult situation, he has worked extremely hard and he is deeply concerned about what is going on in the state.
“They are very close, a lot of people don’t know this. They have known each other for many years and I’m not even qualify to tell you about what going on between the two of them but what I do know is this, that bridges have been built. There is an understanding and they have no choice but to collaborate and work together. And I’m sure they are delighted to do that.
“Sunday is delighted to do that, because we have spoken. He will do everything within the law and that’s what Makinde may be concerned about. The fear that there may be reaction and so on and so forth, we can understand that. But it’s for us as leaders and elders to come together, let this bridge be built so we can do everything in a right way in other to ensure the state government is comfortable and to ensure the federal government is also comfortable.
“There is no law that says you can not defend yourself against people that kill you and rape your women, and what the federal government needs to do now, is to do something about those perpetrating this crime in the forest. If only they could do that and do it better, there won’t be an issue here. And we wouldn’t have had people to stand up and say listen, if they didn’t do it we have to do it by ourselves and that’s where people like Sunday come. If they do their job, people like Sunday would not have to do anything. But far as they didn’t do their job, it raises issues.
“And I know that Makinde and the other governors of south west will join hands together to ensure the people are saved. It is the destination, the same objective we all have and it’s not about targeting any ethnic group, it’s not about targeting Hausa or Fulani. That’s not what he does, if that was it I won’t be here and he knows me very well that I will never do that.
“I believe there should be peace, unity and progress, and there must be justice, there must be equity and the right to defend ourselves from people that seem to kill us and rape us.
“Governor of Bauchi State, a good friend of mine, he said in few days ago that Fulani herdsmen should be given the right to carry AK-47, I disagree with that but that’s his opinion and like I told him, he is entitled to his opinion and can voice it. Now, if you go about that principle then it makes absolute sense if Fulani herdsmen are allowed to carry AK-47 to defend their cows and lives, if the members of the local community, farmers and each and everyone of us should also have that right to defend ourselves against killer Fulani herdsmen or those who are coming to kill us or to rape our women.
“So, I am totally behind that, I will like that very much. And why not? We are responsible citizens, America has that law in their constitution, perhaps if we have had that long ago that we can carry arms.