Reps minority caucus kicks as Buhari rejects Southern governors, Southwest APC ban on open grazing
By Ayo Fadimu
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday condemned the ban on open grazing by Southern Governor’s Forum just as he has proposed starting ranching in consenting states in the country which according to the Presidency is the solution to the herders and farmers conflicts in the country, just as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insisted the resolution of the Southern governors is constitutional
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that the Southern Governors recently met in Asaba and made far reaching decisions which included ban on open grazing. Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party Governor’s Forum(PDPGF) met in Ibadan and also supported the ban.
On Sunday, the Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) met in Lagos and also supported the ban on open grazing. Those in attendance in the APC Southwest meeting include the National leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila , governors elected on the platform of the party from the zone, among others.
However, in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Monday, the President remarked that the resolution of the meeting did not provide any solution to the problem at hand.
“It is very clear that there was no solution offered from their resolutions to the herder-farmer clashes that have been continuing in our country for generations.
“But the citizens of the southern states – indeed citizens of all states of Nigeria – have a right to expect their elected leaders and representatives to find answers to challenges of governance and rights, and not to wash their hands off hard choices by, instead, issuing bans that say: ‘not in my state.’
“It is equally true that their announcement is of questionable legality, given the Constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms within every one of our 36 states (and FCT) -regardless of the state of their birth or residence.
“Fortunately, this declaration has been preempted, for whatever it is intended to achieve and Mr. President, who has rightly been worried about these problems more than any other citizen in consultation with farmers and herders alike, commissioned and approved an actionable plan of rehabilitating grazing reserves in the states, starting with those that are truly committed to the solution and compliant with stated requirements,” while also expressing a strong resolve to address the conflicts of herders and farmers for a permanent solution.
President Buhari also ordered that the associated problem of the gun-wielding “killer herdsmen” be tackled.
The statement further added, “With veterinary clinics, water points for animals, and facilities for herders and their families including schooling – through these rehabilitated reserves, the Federal Government is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing for different communities to co-exist side-by-side: supporting farmers to till their fields, herders to rear their livestock and Nigerians everywhere to be safe.
“The entire country is acutely aware of the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on public finances, for both Federal and States. Still, given the pressing urgency of addressing the perennial challenges, the federal funding for the project that has been delayed is now being partly unlocked.
“Actual work for the full actualization of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting states should take off in June.”
But in an exclusive interview with Nigerian NewsDirect, the House of Representatives deputy minority whip, Hon. Abdel-Majed Adekoya while speaking on behalf of the Reps minority caucus said the governors have the constitutional duty to protect the lives of their people.
“I agree with the President that the Fulani herdsmen have constitutional rights to live anywhere in the country, what about their cows? Do they have rights to infringe on the rights of others by killing them and destroying their properties and what is the proof that they are Nigerians? He asked.
“If Mr President says ban on open grazing is not solution, should pig farmers, snake farmers also roam the streets with their livestock?”
Adekoya who described himself as a livestock farmer with herds of cattle insisted that cattle rearing is a business and whosoever wants to venture into it must be prepared.
“I have my cattle in ranches, I invite veterinary doctors to take care of them, others should do likewise,” he said.
