The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday said ethnic groups must respect each other’s geographical space and culture to reduce rising tension in the country.
Gbajabiamila gave the advice while commenting on killings and kidnappings in the country during an interview State House correspondents after a meeting with the President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Speaker stated this as socio-political groups including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Afenifere and the Middle Belt Forum berated the Northern Elders’ Forum for alleging that northerners were being attacked in the South.
They described as false, allegations by NEF and Kano Elders’ Forum.
According to them, on the contrary, it is Fulani herdsmen that are kidnapping, killing and raping host communities without any action by the Buhari regime.
But earlier on Wednesday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives after meeting the President said federal lawmakers would come up with legislation to address the current unhealthy relationship between herdsmen and their host communities, especially in the South-West and other southern parts of the country.
When asked for his view on the building tension in the country, Gbajabiamila said all concerned needed to embrace dialogue.
He warned against any ethnic group lording it over others.
