Coalition of Fulbe Professionals in Africa (COFPIA), a group of Fulani professionals, has distanced itself from a statement made by Alhaji Alhasan Salah, National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, that purported to be against the candidacy of Mr. Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and the candidate of the Labour Party, in the 2023 presidential election.
Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore did not speak for the Fulani ethnic group or in any way represent the Fulani, according to COFPIA, which advised Nigerians to ignore whatever statements they may have heard from them.
In an interview with a major newspaper, Alhasan, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the most contentious Fulani group in Nigeria, stated that the Fulani people would not support Obi’s candidacy.
Mr. Peter Obi was referred to the Alhasan as a tribal bigot who also despises the Fulani tribe and the North in general.
However, while acknowledging Miyetti Allah’s right to freedom of expression and opinion, COFPIA reminded them that they do not have the authority to speak for all Fulani in Nigeria, especially when they have fallen short of expectations, in a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja on Monday. The statement was signed by Prof. Mohammed Gidado, its National President, and Hajiya Mairo Modibo, its National Secretary, respectively.
According to COFPIA, Miyetti Allah’s politically sponsored statement will not bind Fulbe people across the nation of Nigeria.
“Our attention has been drawn to a sectional, unpatriotic, ungodly, and senseless statement attributed to one of our brothers, Alhaji Hassan Saleh, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the most contentious Fulani group in Nigeria, which without a doubt is to blame for the negative reputation the Fulani nation has received in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“That politically sponsored proclamation of Miyetti Allah will no longer bind the Fulbe in all of Nigeria.
The Fulani people can no longer be used as extortion and religious sentiment’s tools since they are wiser now. Come 2023, we will educate our populace so they can vote for competence and capacity. No candidate who has nothing to contribute will ever receive our support. Religious and ethnic feelings are a thing of the past.
“We shall elect a president who will address the severe hunger and poverty that have long kept our people prisoner. No matter who is involved, we will elect a president who will battle insecurity with all of his might and an open mind.
“Our esteemed tribal group, Miyette Allah, should focus their effort on eradicating the negative stereotype they have fostered of Fulani people in Nigeria, the group continued, rather than disparaging Peter Obi, who has shown the ability to save Nigeria from its current gloom.
“We also want to state unequivocally that we have not endorsed Peter Obi or any other presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections, and we are not Peter Obi’s spokesperson. However, we believe it is wrong for our people to keep portraying Peter Obi as a bigoted tribal member who dislikes the North.
According to the information that is currently available, Peter Obi is a fervent nationalist who supports Nigeria’s unification. We thus urge our Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore brothers to refrain from misrepresenting the Fulani people to Nigerians and to exclusively speak on behalf of their organization.
“They lack the moral, spiritual, and religious authority to speak for the entire Fulani population in Nigeria, particularly in light of the fact that they have degraded into tribal bigots who show no consideration for members of other tribes and religions.
