May 10, (THEWILL) – The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has denied reports that it purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for former President Goodluck Jonathan.
THEWILL had reported that a northern coalition purchased the forms for the former president to enable him to contest for the presidential ticket of the ruling party.
The group, Nomadic Pastoralists and Almajarai Community, led by Ibrahim Abdullahi, said they believed in the capacity of Dr Jonathan because of his pan Nigerian outlook while in office.
However, MACBAN, in a statement on Tuesday by its National Secretary, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, dissociated the group from any involvement in the purchase of any presidential form for any presidential hopeful.
The statement urged the media to take time to understand the difference between the various fulbe organisations and avoid dragging MACBAN into political mud.
It reads in part: “The Attention of the National headquarters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) had been drawn to a trending story, in which we are being quoted as having bought a presidential nomination form for former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2023 elections.
“We wish to make it clear that MACBAN did not and will not buy any form for any Candidate contesting elections.
“As an association, we have far higher needs for money to assist our members being uprooted and killed in the South East and several other states in the country.
“MACBAN does not see any gain in this kind of profligate enterprise that adds no value to the millions of our members who are wallowing in poverty as a result of banditry, cattle rustling and the dastardly activities of self-appointed vigilantes, who for all intent and purpose are committed to executing genocide.
“We believe politics should be left to politicians.. We see no mileage in supporting any politician when we are overwhelmed by the crisis being faced by our members nationwide.
“MACBAN, will when the need arises support a candidate that shows commitment to end the suffering of our members after the conclusion of party primaries by all the political parties.
“We look forward to seeing the manifestos of the various candidates and where our members fit in to determine who to fully support.”
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