BUHARI'S SILENCE A CATALYST FOR FUTURE VIOLENT CONFLICT: REV. FR. SEBASTIAN SANNI

INTRODUCTION
In 2015, we witnessed a political revolution that is unprecedented in our political history. The People's democratic party (PDP) in power then lost election to the opposition party (APC). This election brought in President Buhari. Many saw him as a "Messiah" after so may failed attempts to become the president. When Buhari was swore in, he said " I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody." That same day, Buhari took the oath as a President to protect lives and properties and many because of his existential credentials as a military person to tackle insecurity in the land. Many people celebrated Buhari with his party's change mantra. Since the coming of Buhari to power, there have been constant conflict in the Country that has claimed many lives and properties. Inasmuch as we give him credict for decimated Boko Haram terrorists, I see this herdsmen as the surrogate of Boko Haram that should be nipped in the bud.

HERDSMEN/FARMERS' CRISIS
Conflict is inevitable is any human society. Conflict is even needed in a society to enhance better relationship however, violent conflict is a toxic to the health of any society. Violent conflict destroys the healthy relationship that ought to exist in the society.

Since the inception of this government, we have constanly witnessed the crisis between herdsmen and farmers. We have seen the killings carried out by Fulani herdsmen in Agatu, Jos, Enugu, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Benue etc. In all these places, Fulani Herdsmen have killed many people, destroyed properties without any serious government intervention. Even in Abuja Metropolis, You see herdsmen moving and nobody to arrest them. The herdsmen have been rampaging these States with impunity. The Fulani herdsmen have been killing in these States unabated. President Buhari have not been able to tackle the herdsmen/farmers cataclysm. Buhari promised to promote agriculture to boost national development but of what use is that promise when farmers are killed daily and their crops destroyed.

BENUE'S BLOODY NEW YEAR
When I saw the pictures on the Facebook  of how the herdsmen massacred innocent people and even pregnant women in Benue State, I had to pause and pray for their Souls. What was their crime for been massacred in their own land? That remains a pussle to me. The herdsmen have claimed many lives in this administration than any other thing. The Benue people have been constantly attacked by the herdsmen and the government have been habitually passive. These herdsmen made Benue people to begin the new year with new grief and sorrow.

BUHARI'S SILENCE AND THE FUTURE WAR
Buhari has been habitually mute in the face of this genocide going on especially in Benue State. Most of the statements released are words attributed to the President by his media aids they are not really his words. If there is one strategic area that Buhari is deficient, it is in communicating with Nigerians. Buhari was very vocal during his campaign so why is he mute now even in the face of the killings going on. Silence they said is golden but Buhari's silence is evil.

Buhari has not been able to come out and address the nation and condemn the killings by the herdsmen. No arrest has been made and these herdsmen are not ghosts but human beings. If half of the zeal used to fight corruption is put into curbing this violent conflicts, then  farmers and herdsmen will live is a relative peace. I just hope that Buhari's silence will continue during his campaign in 2019. Now that Buhari has lost his voice to talk I hope that he will not recover his power of speech during the campaign in 2019.

I see Buhari's silence as a catalyst for future violent conflict. If the people cannot be protected by the government, they may resort to self help since the government has failed to protect them and that may give room to reprisal attack.

To my Benue people, rise against every form of intimidation and resist every genocide going on in the land. Your land has been blessed by God to feed the nation. You must rise and protect yourselves since the government has failed you. If the herdsmen go about with AK 47 and they are not arrested, I see no reason why you cannot arm yourself and protect your land and your people. No Fulani herdsman has been arrested in this country for illegal possession of arms so please protect yourselves. The government will try to pacify you by telling you that investigation will take place but pause and ask yourself; where are the investigation  reports of Agatu genocide, Southern Kaduna, Jos, Taraba, Benue and other places.

In conclusion, the people in North are not more human than the people in Benue. Look at the people that flocked to the hospital to see the son of the president who had accident to send their kind wishes but slow to extend their sympathy to the people. This blood bath in Benue State is much and the State government must put internal security measures in place to curb this genocide and menace.

A responsible government should be able to protect lives and properties and any government that fails in this is irresponsible and donnot have the trust of the people. My heart goes to the Benue people who are mourning now and victims of violent conflict and those who lost their lives...

#Pray for peace in Benue State...