Count us out of Nigeria’s ownership claim – Sarkin Fulani

*Says reported claimant doesn’t speak for Fulani

Sarkin Fulani of Lagos and Chairman, Association of Fulani Chiefs, South West Nigeria, His Highness,Alhaji (Dr) Mohammed Bambado, has disassociated his tribe from the claim of one Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, that the whole of Nigeria belongs to the Fulani tribe.

Recall that one Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, who claimed to be the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore purportedly claimed in a media report that the country belongs to the Fulani and so, the tribe would rule for ever.

Bodejo, however, said he never made such a claim, although he admitted granting Sun Newspaper an interview but that he was surprised that the newspaper did not misquote him but social media did.

“No doubt I was asked by the Sun Newspaper to react on the formation of Amotekun and my response was that every ethnic group has the inalienable right to defend itself against any aggression, including the Fulbe. That Fulbe will pursue their legitimate business anywhere in Nigeria as the country is as much their inheritance as it is of other groups,” Bodejo said.

Reacting to the development in a statement, on Monday, Sarkin Fulani of Lagos State, who also doubles as the regional Chairman, Association of Fulani Chiefs, South West Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado said, the reported claimant is not representing the view and belief of the Fulani, “as we believe that the country belongs to all of us.”

According to Dr. Bambado, no true Fulani man in Nigeria would engage in any divisive conduct capable of setting the country on fire, adding that, “we are all law abiding citizens of this country, who wants peace, love and tranquillity to reign at all time.”

“The man is not speaking for us, he is not speaking on our behalf and so, we disassociate ourselves from his controversial and untenable claim,” Bambado asserted, just as he urged the good people of Nigeria to, “ignore the bogus claim and go about their normal businesses and daily activities in a peaceful atmosphere we are used to.”

Concluding, the Fulani monarch therefore urged the people to be vigilant and be wary of some characters whose conducts and utterances could cause chaos, saying, “the current situation calls for maximum cooperation with Muhamadu Buhari administration in its onerous task of moving the country to the next level of an enviable world standard.”