National Pivot
President Muhammadu Buhari’s kinsman, and former Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof Usman Yusuf, has said allegations claiming the Fulanis own Nigeria are false. He said unlike the Fulani, Igbos have a presence across the country, owning lands and exotic landed properties in the North, something he said Fulanis would not be allowed to own in the Southeast.
He also said the fact that a Fulani man occupies the Villa, does not translate to owning the country. He then suggested that the Fulani would be more than happy to exchange the presidency for all the material wealth Igbos own in the North.
He said, “Which part of Nigeria do they (Fulani) own? Igbo people are richer than Fulani people; Yoruba people are also richer than Fulani people. There are more Igbo and Yoruba in federal civil service than Fulani. Does any Fulani own a bank, does any Fulani own a media house.
“Does any Fulani own a hotel; all the hotels in Abuja and land are owned by the Igbo; is Abuja Igbo land? Can Fulani own in the East what Igbo own in the North? No. If you have never been to the North, come and see the landed properties that the Igbo have, which the Fulani do not have and cannot have in Igbo land.
On concerns over comments by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), to set up its own security outfit in all 36 states to protect their people across the country, Yusuf said the fear is due to ignorance not domination.
“Cattle rearers never come to the cities, yet every community should protect itself since the federal government has failed; there are no enough police, no enough soldiers, and people are being killed all over. Yes, we may get to that level where communities have to take responsibility for their own security.
