For many political watchers in Nigeria, it is coming as a surprise that President Muhammadu Buhari has only just visited Makurdi, capital of Benue state, ever since the spate of killings by herdsmen early this year. Rather than condole with the people of the state over the unprovoked killings, Buhari enjoined the farmers to live peacefully with herdsmen.
The number of people murdered by the Fulani herdsmen so far has risen to almost 80, with two security personnel killed yesterday.
On hand to receive the president was the governor of the state, Samuel Ortom who led a delegation of state officials and APC party stalwarts. Most of them wore the traditional Tiv dress designed with the party logo, signifying their loyalty to the party.
By his deliberate silence on the attacks by herdsmen in Benue, Buhari has, once again, shown that he will rather prefer the matter is not given the priority attention it deserves. Also, the president kept mum on the Anti-open grazing law that led to the killings.
But members of Benue State House of Assembly have advised that the president’s remarks should not be construed as supporting a particular group at the expense of another.
