2019 POLLS: Southern Women Threaten To Boycott Presidential Elections Over Herdsmen Menace

By; Emmanuel Onotevure.

Following the unbridled menace of herdsmen across the country and the inability of security agencies and the Federal Government to provide citizens with adequate security; one of the responsibilities of any government, Southern women have threatened to boycott the presidential elections come next year.



The brigandage and reign of terror being unleashed on innocent Nigerians by armed herdsmen resulted in threat by Southern women who have vowed to boycott the 2019 Presidential election if President Buhari fails to address the marauding armed fulani herdsmen.

The group of women, speaking under the aegis Concerned Southern Women for Good Governance, accused President Mohammadu Buhari of handling the security challenges being posed by the herdsmen with kit gloves.

Addressing journalists yesterday, leader of the group, Patience Pearl Igho emphasized the importance of women in any society.

She said; "women are a great economic force that a nation can not ignore. They are at the bottom of the domestic economy growth pyramid".

"Our women in the South are the strength of our agricultural boost because they do the farming and also take the produce for processing then for sale in the wholesales and retail sales".

"The issue of herdsmen attacking our women in the farms will lead to serious food crises in the South. So we women in the South will boycott presidential elections if this menace of herdsmen is not stopped because as it is, no one is talking".

This issue of rampaging herdsmen calls for a proactive approach so as to ensure safety of lives especially farmers in the various communities to forestall  crisis in the agricultural sector.

Many stakeholders have also raised concerns regarding the issue of cattle colony which has been generating controversies since it was broached by government through its representative.


Similarly, the Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, Chief Daniel Yingi has said proponents of cattle colonies are enemies of the country, insisting that land would not be ceded for cattle colony in the  State.

Yingi who represents Burutu 1 Constituency in the House, said  thoughts and actions of proponents of cattle colony were able of promoting crisis and disharmony among Nigerians.

"The condemnation that greeted the proposed cattle colony since it was announced by the federal government, was a clear signal of the doom that goes with it. Cattle business is a private business, it is not a project of the federal government", he said.

"You can't come through the back doors to start colonizing the people. Such a policy is capable of causing disintegration. I pray that those behind it will halt their moves and seek ways to promoting peace, love, unity and progress in Nigeria".

"Activities of herdsmen across the country have been very worrisome. It is becoming clearer by the day that the cattle business they parade is not their real intention. You now see large number of Cows being reared in riverine communities even as interior as communities in Burutu".

"How can somebody ferry Cows from the North across the River claiming to be looking for where to graze? What kind of grass are you looking for in such places? Don't you think that there is more to it", Yingi queried

"As the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, I know and understand the damages that the activities of herdsmen have done in Delta State. Activities of herdsmen is seriously affecting the agriculture policy and food sufficiency drive of the Delta State Government. People are being killed and maimed, women are being raped, even under aged, destruction of farm lands and farm produce, all in the name of cattle grazing".

"Many people are in pains and the problem seems to have no end. And now you are talking of Cattle Colony; How? It is indeed a sad commentary", adding that "Section 14 (2B) placed the Security and Welfare of the People as the primary purpose of the government".

"The federal government should not introduce a policy that is against the wellbeing of the people", the committee chairman stressed.

"The State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the State House of Assembly, security agencies, traditional rulers and well meaning Deltans have ensured that peace was maintained across the state no matter the provocations.

"But my fear is that, the patience of the people is running thin. I pray that the issue of herdsmen is addressed as soon as possible in this country for the overall interest of the nation ".

Yingi however advised communities to remain law abiding as government is doing all it could to address the problem, stressing that every well meaning Nigerians should be concerned about the activities of herdsmen.