President Muhamamdu Buhari has stated that his administration is the first in Nigerian history to implement a solution to decades-long herder/farmer conflicts exacerbated by desertification and demographic growth.
In a letter to Bloomberg, the president stated that the National Livestock Transformation Plan, with ranching at its core, is the only way to deplete the competition for resources at the heart of the clashes.
According to him, governors from some individual states have attempted to play politics where ranches have been established; however, where they have been, disputes have significantly decreased.
Speaking further about the war on terror, President Buhari stated that in 2015, Boko Haram controlled territory the size of Belgium within Nigeria’s borders, but that the terrorists are now nearly extinct as a military force.
While reiterating that an ISWAP leader was killed by a Nigerian Airforce airstrike in March, Buhari noted that the jets acquired from the US and intelligence shared by the British were not provided to previous administrations and stand as testament to the renewed trust re-built between Nigeria and our traditional western allies under my administration.
“Terrorists no longer hold any territory in Nigeria, and their leaders are deceased; and vast infrastructure development sets the country on course for sustainable and equitable growth,” Buhari stated.
He urged the same international partners to take no-cost additional steps, such as designating another group – IPOB – as a terrorist organization.
“Their leaders have found refuge in the West, broadcasting hate speech into Nigeria from London, spending millions lobbying members of the US Congress, and freely using international financial networks to arm agitators on the ground.”
“This must stop,” declared the president.
In terms of corruption, President Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration will leave the country in far better shape than they found it.
Corruption, in his opinion, is less hidden because Nigerians feel empowered to report it without fear, and stolen funds are now being returned.
