PRESIDENT BUHARI AT DAY 2 OF MINISTERIAL RETREAT CLOSING 0AB. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Government Agencies during the closing ceremony of the 2 Day Ministerial Retreat 2020 held at the Presidential Villa.PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. SEPT 8, 2020
BreakingHighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Ban on open grazing: Buhari gives Southern governors bum rap, says their stance has questionable legality

290

 

Amid grieving over the deaths of the Chief of Army Staff and 10 other officers, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday took a swipe at the recent resolutions of Southern governors on open grazing by herders in the region and other national issues.

The Presidency, in a statement, lambasted the governors of “playing politics to demonstrate their power.”


He accused the governors of failing to offer any solution to the farmers/ herders crisis which has bedevilled the nation for decades but instead imposed a ban.

Persecondnews recalls that the governors had last week met in Asaba, Delta State, with a resolution to ban open grazing in their states which had attracted criticism from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN).

But Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and other lawyers had faulted Malami’s position, comparing ban on open grazing with a likely banning of sale of spare parts by southerners in the North.
The Presidency insisted that the southern governors’ stance had questionable constitutional legality given the right of citizens to enjoy the same rights and freedom as everyone else in all the states of the federation.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed a strong resolve to address the conflicts of herders and farmers in a sustained and lasting manner that should lead to the emergence of a permanent solution to the frequent clashes between them, as well as the associated problem of the gun-wielding ‘killer herdsmen.’

“The President had approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the frequent skirmishes as recommended by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture in a report he submitted and the President signed off on it back in April, well before the actions of the Southern Governors Forum which attempts to place a ban on open grazing and other acts of politicking intended by its signatories to demonstrate their power.

“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.

“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,” Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, said

The Presidency recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had already approved specific measures to bring the incessant farmers/herders clashes to an end.

“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 actualisation of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting states should take off in June,” Buhari said.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Rodri Brushes Off Vinicius, Real Madrid at Ballon d’Or ceremony

Recently crowned 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has downplayed the absence of...

VP Shettima, Govs. Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, others witness Okpebholo’s inauguration as Edo Governor

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun counterpart, Dapo...

Super Eagles Land in Abidjan, Gear Up for Benin Republic Clash

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has arrived in Abidjan,...

Nigeria signs $1.2bln deal with CNCEC to revive aluminium smelter

Nigeria has taken a significant step towards reviving its dormant aluminium smelter...

VP Shettima Arrives in Benin City for Edo Governor’s Inauguration

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Benin City, Edo State capital,...

Breaking: Powerful explosion rocks Jos, many people feared dead

A devastating explosion shook the city of Jos on Tuesday morning, sending...

NNPC Ltd. boss, Mele Kyari, thrashes allegation of sabotaging Dangote Refinery as baseless

Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National...

Infanticide: US places $25,000 bounty on fleeing Nigerian parent

The United States of America has offered a $25,000 reward for anyone...

Tinubu, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, others extol Pastor Tunde Bakare at 70

Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church, is a...

NNPC Ltd. Unveils Plan to Resolve Nigeria’s Energy Trilemma

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari,...

Tinubu Calls for Immediate End to Israeli Aggression in Gaza, Supports Two-State Solution

President Bola Tinubu has called for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression...

Breaking: IPMAN Secures Direct Supply Deal with Dangote Refinery, Promises Steady, Affordable Fuel Nationwide

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced a landmark...

“Operation Sweep”, FCT demolition squad, faces backlash from residents, Wike reacts

The recent demolition exercise by “Operation Sweep”, a task force set up...

Nov. 16 Ondo guber poll: Sensitive election materials arrive

Ahead of the Saturday, October 16 governorship poll in Ondo State, sensitive...

China’s imports from Nigeria soar to $15.1bln, 36.1% increase

China’s imports from Nigeria have reached an all-time high of $15.1 billion...

N5.4trn subsidy savings, bolster for nation’s infrastructure, social programmes – Onanuga

The Presidency has announced that the estimated N5.4 trillion saved from subsidy...

Vandals destroy TCN towers, disrupt power supply in Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a fresh attack on...

Amid opposition, Kano Rep. Jibrin promises to push Tinubu’s tax reform bills through in NASS

In spite of growing opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s controversial tax reform...

FCT Police bust notorious car theft syndicate, arrest suspect, recover 3 vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police has confirmed the arrest of a...

Osimhen’s Brace Powers Galatasaray to 3-2 Win Over Samsunspor

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen led Galatasaray to a thrilling 3-2 victory over...