Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Tuesday, warned marauding herdsmen that have sent many Nigerians to their untimely graves in parts of the country to steer clear of his state or otherwise risk a greater danger for their cattle.
He said failure on their part to heed the warning would lead to the people of the state poisoning the source of water by the herdsmen for the cattle.
Fayose stated this on Tuesday, while speaking on the topic: “Journalism and Politics; two sides of a coin,” at the World Press Freedom Day organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, held at the Dapo Aderogba hall, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Fayose said the time had come for Nigerians to defend themselves in the face of unwarranted attacks and killings by suspected herdsmen across the country.
Citing the carnage carried out by them in Benue and Enugu states, the governor said Boko Haram appeared to have changed its identity to herdsmen, unleashing terror on innocent citizens of the country,
He said he had instructed his people to poison water with a particular brand of chemical used against fungal attacks in the event of any herdsmen attack in Ekiti.
“It seems Boko Haram has changed identity to herdsmen now. You as journalists must speak out, the killings are under reported. Is it about the mass burial in Kaduna State, the Agatu saga or the recent killing which happened on Monday? Ask questions,” he said.
On his criticism of President Muhammed Buhari, Fayose said he had nothing against the personality of the president, but that the world democracy did not live on old leaders again.
Fayose said it was wrong for the president to believe he could use the panacea he adopted to tackle national problems over 30 years ago as head of state to solve current national challenges.
“President Buhari is too old to rule this country and that is why there is problem in this country now. He is like my grandfather. Nigeria should not produce any president that is over 60 years.
“World democracy don’t parade octogenarians again. Young people should rise up to challenge the older generation. Maybe that is why there is a law that a pilot should not fly an aircraft after 65 years of age,” he said.
Fayose advised journalists in the country to hold politicians accountable for their deeds and character while in office, in order to save the country from going down.
“You are the last hope of common man. When journalists support looters, there is confusion of vision. Journalists should shy away from it. Bad politicians should be brought to justice. Don’t write about issues you don’t know. Don’t rely on what a politician told you of his supposed enemy and don’t inherit his enemies. Journalists must help bring corrupt politicians to justice.
“When politicians are going wrong, let them feel the heat first from you. Most politicians are using journalists in Nigeria for their dirty jobs and they are supporting wicked politicians. Journalists in Nigeria always shy away from the truth because they are self-centred and greedy. As a journalist, you need to discharge your duty without fear or favour.
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