By- Moses Kyegh

All is set for the occupation of the Complex of the Benue State House of Assembly and indications are it will be an interesting experience for leaders and the led. We hope that the fallouts from the occupation will be useful for moving Benue state forward.

The basis for this occupation is the annoying Fulani herdsmen attacks on hapless rural dwellers which has claimed thousands of lives. Over the past 7 odd years Fulani herdsmen have made a ritual killing Benue people during the dry season to the commencement of the farming season, often times and largely, without provocation.

This situation necessitated a coalition of concerned Benue sons and daughters under the platform of Movement Against Fulani Occupation (MAFO) who took issue with the actions of the herdsmen. MAFO acted via public protest, advocacy and lobby. It presented a Bill for a law emplacing Ranching and banning open grazing which as is obvious is the excuse for the attacks on Benue people. MAFO has made repeated visits on the leadership of the BSHoA resulting the promise to the Benue people by no less than the Speaker of the House that the law will be passed within 2016.

The fears MAFO expressed for a delayed passage of the Bill are already manifesting as 5 persons were killed recently in APA local govt area by Fulani herdsmen and 1 other in Zone A. The failure to pass the Bill into a law exemplifies the disdain the Legislator's; our elected representatives have for the people of the state. It is an abdication of duty. A negligence of serious import which is why we as a people must let them know how we feel about the attacks which have already started and insist on what we know is the correct solution: Passage of the law.

That Speaker Ikyange and his colleagues are making overtures and seeking a delay on the occupation is nothing but attempts at brinkmanship which must be resisted by MAFO. They forced this occupation on us.

Bills have been passed into law on accelerated speed in our history, Ikyange and company can adopt similar speed in addressing our concerns and surely, there will be peace for everyone.

Every well meaning son and daughter of Benue must participate in this act of civil disobedience to ensure the passage of this Bill into a law so as to guarantee the well being of our brothers and sisters who by accident of fate dwell in the rural areas.

Occupation will commence Tuesday 10/1/2017 till the Bill becomes Law. Venue is the Benue State House of Assmbly. Come prepared to stay as long as necessary!

#OCCUPYBSHoA
#STOPTHE KILLINGS
#OURLIVESMATTER
#MAFO
#VATIM

Well-done sir...

Benue people should ask their traditional leaders what is happening to their people.

Traditunal rulers are now ruled by greed for money and meat.

I schooled in Makurdi, i stayed in North -Bank and i saw a whole lot, Ter-Guma was accused by the youth of Benue of collecting 10m Niara form Miyetti Allah to allow for grazing in their land.

Now that mayhem has befallen them, they cant ask the Fulanis to leave again and they cant fight back.

I remember when we woke up one morning to find more than 20 dead bodies of Benue people infront of Ter-Guma's house, he was asked to bury them since he sold their lives to the Fulanis.

I pity them sha, Boko Haram in all its reign has never killed as many people as i saw Fulanis do to Benue people. Its pathetic.