Nigeria: Jang Shuns Reps Over Fulani Expulsion

allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Jang Shuns Reps Over Fulani Expulsion

Nasidi A. Yahaya

7 June 2009

Neither Plateau State governor David Jonah Jang nor any member of the state executive council was ready to host the House of Representatives' committee mandated to investigate causes of the recent expulsion of Fulani nomads by the state government, Speaker Dimeji Bankole said yesterday in Abuja.

He however said the committee will meet with citizens of Wase Local Government to hear their side of the incident in order to write its reports and present to the House.

Bankole, who spoke when he hosted officials of the Council of Ulama of Nigeria led by Sheikh Ibrahim Umar Kabo, said the legislators will collaborate with the executive to bring lasting peace in the state.

He said, "We are aware of the problems in the state and we sent a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker, Usman Bayero Nafada though they were not able to secure appointment with of the state government officials. Meanwhile, they will meet the affected people and write their reports."

Speaking earlier, Sheikh Kabo called for reprimanding of Governor Jang for instigating another ethnic bigotry and causing damages to the Fulani communities in the state.

According to him, the expulsion has generated loss of confidence on the government and the political system that has failed to stop the reckless act and restore normalcy in the place it occurred.