Politics
“Atiku Is The Chief Financier Of Fulani Herdsmen” – Paul Unongo
The Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Paul Unongo, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being the chief financier and most influential member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, the apex body of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.
He, therefore, called on Atiku, who is a prince of the Tiv Court, to caution the herdsmen, who have been slaughtering hundreds of people in the country.
Unongo said this during an interview with one of Punch’s correspondents on Friday.
The NEF Chairman said, “I am aware that the most powerful person in Miyetti Allah is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,who wants to be the next president. If they are fighting for power and Atiku wants to create problems for Buhari, I don’t know. There are so many possibilities.
“The most powerful person who finances the Miyetti Allah is Abubakar Atiku and he is a prince of the Tiv Court. The Tiv gave him a traditional title, meaning ‘the biggest shade of the Tiv people’.
“This implies that the Tiv people should be able to run to Atiku who will protect them.
This is the man who heads Miyetti Allah and is the greatest financier of this organisation.
He has more cattle than anybody in Miyetti Allah.
“It is an establishment of the big people, a very rich group of Nigerians and they pack small boys to take their cattle all over the place and then buy all these arms to give herdsmen to go and kill people, and the government is doing nothing!”
When asked if he was sure that Atiku was the most influential member of the Miyetti Allah, Unongo said the former Vice President told him personally that he was an influential member of the association.
He added, “I know, I got my facts partially from him regarding Miyetti Allah when I used to talk to him.”
When our correspondent asked Unongo if he had met with the former Vice President recently over the issue, the NEF boss said it was very difficult to see him.
He said, “Have you tried to see a ‘big man’ before? I don’t like to wait at people’s doors. If you’re in government, yes, but when you’re not in government, it shouldn’t be so hard to see you.
Atiku is my younger brother and he should come to me.
“Anytime you go to his place, the people around him think you are there to collect money that they are sharing. So, I decided that I would not disgrace the NEF. I am not belittling him, but he is no longer in power and I deserve some respect.”
Unongo also berated the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for treating the Fulani herdsmen crisis with kid gloves.
He said he had been warning the President for nearly three years about the crisis but that the President’s “insensitive” advisers had been deceiving him into thinking the matter was a small one.
The NEF chairman said that many of the President’s aides had been preventing him from seeing the President and telling him the truth about the issue.
Unongo, who is both Tiv and Fulani, said, “The President is not happy about what is happening, but his insensitive advisers have deceived him into thinking this is not a serious issue, which they keep saying they can handle, but it has now festered to a level where it is difficult to take care of.”
The NEF chairman said it was unfortunate that despite the several threats made by the Fulani herdsmen after the antiopen grazing law came into effect, the government failed to take action.
He said, “Miyetti Allah threatened and said upon the implementation of the law, they would attack in January violently and force the withdrawal of the law. I don’t understand. It didn’t make sense at the time, but it means that perhaps the Miyetti Allah wanted to prove to the people and the government of Benue State that when they make a promise, they keep to it.”
Benue and Ekiti states had both enacted anti-open grazing laws to check the activities of herdsmen, while Ondo, Cross River, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states have also moved to have anti-open grazing laws to check the activities of the nomadic pastoralists.
However, the former Vice President said that although he is a Fulani, he was not a member of the Miyetti Allah.
Atiku stated this in his reaction to the allegations levelled against him by Unongo.
Speaking through his media aide, Mr. Paul Ibe, in Abuja on Friday, the former Vice President also said it was wrong to describe him as the chief financier of the Miyetti Allah.
He said, “It is very disheartening that in this period of intense grief in Benue State, Chief Paul Unongo would choose to level these desperately sad and false allegations against Atiku Abubakar, whom he erroneously described as the chief financier of MACBAN.
“Yes, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is a Fulani and is proud to be one as he has never hidden that fact. However, the Waziri is a thoroughly detribalized Nigerian who would never favour one ethnic group over another.
“Last year, during the massive flood in Benue State, which affected over 100,000 families, Waziri Atiku Abubakar, who holds the Tiv traditional title of Zege Mule U Tiv, donated cash to the Benue State Government for the care of the victims.
“This is befitting for a man whose Tiv traditional title means ‘the biggest shade of the Tiv people’.
“It is strange that Chief Paul Unongo chose to neglect that act of love and care from the Waziri Adamawa to the people of Benue. Not only did the Zege Mule U Tiv make a financial donation, he also called on the Federal Government to do more to assist the flood-ravaged communities.
“Let it be known that though Waziri Adamawa is Fulani, he is not a member of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria nor has he ever been a member. He has also never discussed about that group with Chief Paul Unongo.
“Furthermore, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, enjoins that a thorough investigation be made into the killings in Benue, and that anyone found culpable be made to bear the full weight of the law.
“Having said that, it has not escaped our notice that Chief Paul Unongo is the Chairman, Governing Board of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, a position he was appointed to in April of last year.
“Understandably, Chief Unongo would be very grateful to those who gave him such a position and may feel it is his duty to attack and sully those in their bad books.
“If that is the case, it would be a very sad day when a supposed elder chooses to make mileage of the sufferings of the people of Benue State, who have had to endure the impunity of these killings for far too long.
“Waziri Atiku Abubakar prays for the souls of the departed and as a traditional title holder of Tiv land, he assures the entire people of Benue (including the Idoma and Igede) that he would do everything in his power to bring justice, relief and compensation their way; so help him God.”
Anthony Osemeha
January 6, 2018 at 8:42 pm
So funny dat atiku started sponsoring herdsmen immediately he dumped apc.
Eze Done
January 6, 2018 at 8:12 pm
is atiku from fulani? did atiku have cattle form? Please l want to know. nonsense
Muhammadsani Inuwa
January 6, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Can you prove it sir.
Innocent Chukwudi Asogwa
January 6, 2018 at 7:14 pm
Paul Unongo it is a pity, this is what Aso Rock told you to say. But remember that there is God
Kehinde Stephen
January 6, 2018 at 6:39 pm
Atiku must die 4 dat.i knew his d 1 financing ipob terrorist too
Prince Chidera Onyenekwe
January 6, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Empty head
Iloabanafor Iloabanafor
January 6, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Reason before u talk that is political propaganda
Chukwuemeka Samuel
January 6, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Mumu, urgly woman
Chase Darlington
January 6, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Gullibility! Don’t worry one day one idiot will tell you that your father is not your biological father and you will start cursing your mother for that.
Umunna Manchester Nwosu
January 6, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Et Brute you Paul unongo. I thought that you are a good elite in the land of the blind. See how miserable you have appeared before the social media with fake news.. Every body knows that all northern elites except Sanusi O sanusi (the emir of Kano) do promote the Fulani herd’s men.Even though people change over night, Atiku has not degenerated to that stage. Mr Paul Unongo go with your fake news. I rest my case.
Uzochukwudimma Agubuike
January 6, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Because he is now campaigning against apc. Useless man
Chris John
January 6, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Rubbish talk,instead of proffering solutions. Just as you people were accusing others when boko haram was rising up until it got tap roots .
Onyebuchi Mmerekwe
January 6, 2018 at 1:45 pm
pure lie, because he abandoned APC dis government is full of evile pple
Okoye Simeon
January 6, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Paul unonga u are a mad man
Chinendu Ifeanyi Ukaegbu
January 6, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Gbam
Nnamdi Okoye
January 6, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Big shame on you Paul unongo, this has shown the height of your gullibility to the Hausa fulanis i say shame and shame to your house holds.
Soji Olayiwola
January 6, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Paul Unongo…….Not Goodluck ebele jonathan this time around.
Soji Olayiwola
January 6, 2018 at 1:16 pm
Na lie…….idiot Unongo.
Anthony Ikechukwu Enyi
January 6, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Your foolishness has no boundary!
Henry Nwokolo
January 6, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Hmmmm!!
How true?
Maco Dejili
January 6, 2018 at 1:11 pm
What of buhari unongo
Isekpari Igrubia
January 6, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Paul Unongo or wat ever ur name is so u know all dis since and u kept quiet all d while dey hv been killing ur ppl den u re not a good leader. U ppl didn’t know dat GEJ was a divine agenda so u will all suffer 4 touching d lords anointed.
Henry O. Ugah
January 6, 2018 at 12:42 pm
He who alleges must prove
Richard Onwubiko Nwobu
January 6, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Is that all of your allegations, or you still got more, Only God can stop Atiku, not you, not OBJ nor IBB or any of their likes, let alone Jubrin from sudan
Osei Adjei
January 6, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Why is buhari and his APC group not Labelly Fulani herdsmen as terrorist
Godswill Arunsi Ulu
January 6, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Haha, I laugh in BIAFRA… Paul Unongo and Co have not seen anything yet… The killings are the dividends of believing and accepting one Nigeria. If Paul Unongo as the NEF chairman does not have power to secure his people from the murderous invaders who are also part of his subjects, it means he is nothing but a puppetry and ceremonial figurehead…
My heart only goes to those poor and innocent people of Benue and the entire middle belt who are the victims of these barbaric acts from the bloodsucking beasts called fulani herdsmen.
It’s time the people on the region rise up and defend themselves. You governments, at local, state and at the center cannot help or defend you… Wake up!!!
Asikogu Samuel
January 6, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Plateau state next on my mind
Chika Okonkwo
January 6, 2018 at 12:27 pm
What for, what will he gain
Austin Emy
January 6, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Atiku shouldn’t dignified this cheap propagandist – Unongo with his excellency response.
With his allegations – That Atiku is a member of Miyetti Allah and Chief Financiers.
He’s only working for his paid master who recently appointed him as the Chairman of Governing body of Nigerian education, research and development Council.
Just to dragged your image you’ve build over time to the mud they belongs.
Nigerians are now wiser, the propaganda, deceptions and lies of 2015, will no longer work in 2019.
They should source for a different strategy for Nigerians.
Except for their gullible and low grade minds apologists.
Sir, only God can stopped you not all these cheap lies of APC.
Last year, when you were still a member of the APC.
Over 5,000 were allegedly killed in Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa, Taraba etc by Fulani herdsmen killers.
Why is it, he didn’t make this allegations.
Now you are back to the PDP, it’s now convenient for him to say you’re a member of Miyetti Allah and their Chief financiers.
How low and callous has some people become, just because of politics.
What a shame.
#kickapcoutIn2019
Adedapo Adebisi Adejuwon Barcelona
January 6, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Is part of his campaign for 2019 so vote wisely.
Samuel Amos
January 6, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Atiku is innocent mr Paul
Samuel Amos
January 6, 2018 at 12:17 pm
God punish your generation by saying that
Usman Mai Nema
January 6, 2018 at 12:16 pm
What of oritsajafor the arms dealer and importer,what about TY Danjuma on Taraba crisis,that of wike on river’s killings nko?jonah jang support on jos killings fa?you just turned away on these and started accusing atiku with no proof except allegations,Fulani are not funded by any one,because they have what they will sell to buy weapons for protecting themselves,so Paul onongo think twice before saying something.
Eze Godwin
January 6, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Paul unongo shame on you, is that all you can say after blood of your people flowing like river in Benue state.
Raymond Freedom Dennis
January 6, 2018 at 12:14 pm
they have started