“Ban On Open Grazing In Southern Nigeria Is Irreversible” – Akeredolu Replies Malami

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu said the decision of the Southern Governors to ban on open grazing in their region is irreversible and will enforce the ban with vigour.

KanyiDaily recalls that the southern governors had met last week in Asaba, Delta State, and resolved to ban open grazing and movement of cattle by foot in the region.

The governors explained that the resolution was reached due to some kidnappings and killings in the Southern region have been traced to criminal elements amongst herders.

However, during an interview on Channels TV, Malami faulted the decision of the southern governors, saying they cannot deny the freedom of Nigerians to move around the country as enshrined in the constitution.

Malami claimed that the decision to ban open grazing in Southern Nigeria is the same thing as Northern Governors prohibiting sales of spare parts in their own region.

Reacting in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, Akeredolu said the southern governors’decision is irreversible and will be enforced.

Akeredolu asked Malami to challenge the governor’s position on open grazing in court, adding that the AGF’s comments were “unfortunate and wicked”.

“I have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Shehu Malami SAN on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective States.

“The AGF is quoted to have said that this reasoned decision, among others, is akin to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country and is unconstitutional.

“It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting. This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in anyway injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy.

“Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to harmonious relationship between the herders and the farmers as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.

“Comparing this anachronism, which has led to loss of lives, farmlands and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange. It, annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset.

“Mr Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the Laws of the respective States baning open grazing and decision of the Southern Governor Forum taken in the interest of their people. We shall be most willing to meet him in Court.

“The decision to ban open grazing stays. It will be enforced with vigour,” the statement reads.

KanyiDaily recalls that a former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko had urged the southern governors to meet with their northern counterparts to resolve the areas of differences and save the country from its current predicament.