Nomadic Fulani communities in Adamawa State have lamented what they described as years of neglect and exclusion from basic social amenities.
This they say is despite being citizens and holders of Permanent Voter Cards.
They are asking the government and political leaders to include them in development programmes, saying this will help address the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts and improve peaceful coexistence.
Living on the fringes of society, the nomadic Fulani communities say their settlements are largely disconnected from basic amenities and government interventions.
They lament the absence of adequate access to healthcare, education, potable water, roads, and other facilities needed to improve the quality of life of their people.
At the meeting held at one of their Ruga settlements, in Dikong, Mayo-belwa local government area of Adamawa state, members of the communities, appealed to government and political leaders to identify with them and address their developmental needs.
They say continued neglect has created a situation where nomadic communities are often seen only through the lens of farmer-herder conflicts rather than as citizens with legitimate rights and aspirations.
The speakers argue that providing education, healthcare, water, and other social services to nomadic communities will not only improve their living conditions but could also contribute to reducing tensions between farmers and herders.
They say they want to be carried along in matters of human development and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the state.
The communities are also looking towards the 2027 general elections, saying their Permanent Voter Cards give them the constitutional right to participate in choosing leaders they believe will protect their interests.
They disclosed that they have been engaging politicians and other stakeholders ahead of the elections, presenting their concerns and seeking commitments on issues affecting their communities.
One of those engagements was with the PDP governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Maurice Vunobolki, who visited the community as part of his interaction with stakeholders.
Stakeholders at the meeting described the living conditions of the communities as pathetic, stressing the need for deliberate government policies that will bring nomadic populations into the mainstream of development.
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(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
