Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has revealed why its declare open support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, explaining that the group was convinced that Tinubu would defend the interest of the Fulani herders across Nigeria.
The association’s president, Bello Bodejo made this revelation in a statement.
The president of the group dismissed the rumour that the group was paid money to endorse the presidential candidate.
The leader of Miyetti Allah said Fulani herdsmen are strongly in support of the presidential candidate of the ruling party.
He challenged those alleging that the association collected money to endorse Tinubu, to come out with evidence of the monetary inducement.
According to the president: “The person, who is accusing the APC of giving us money, let him also go and collect his own from the party. Nobody gave us any money. We are not doing it because of money but for the good of the country and our people. We want our interest fully captured in areas like creating grazing reserves, cattle routes, and tackling other challenges that the Fulani Pastoralists are having in the country, and how we can have a good understanding with APC in the management of Fulani affairs. We are not looking for any kobo from anybody. I am the leader of the Association, and if there was any monetary transaction before the endorsement, I would have said so, but there wasn’t anything like that.
“However, anybody who is accusing us of collecting money to endorse the ruling party should prove it. Besides, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Association is not a political party. I am the leader of the Fulani, and I decided to contact some of our strong members all over the country, including the Fulani Youths, when the request for the endorsement came. After several meetings and consultations that lasted for over three months, we decided to follow APC. Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice Presidential candidate, and the National Chairman of the party, Senator Dr. Abdullahi Adamu, had came to our office to seek our support, and that was why we endorsed them.
“If you are in your house and somebody looks for direction to your house and implores your support, after listening, you will welcome him and follow him. We have to follow them because they recognize us.”