WITHOUT equivocation, The Hope would like to commend Arakunrin Akeredolu for his leadership qualities among the galvanized Southern Governors Forum, the platform that is being used to foster integration among member states, for the purpose of economic development, political advancement and protection of lives and property. One of the past resolutions of the Forum is the directive to member States to pass anti-open grazing law in their respective States, as part of the initiatives to mitigate farmer/herder crisis, and check the activities of criminal herders.
SEQUEL to this resolution by the Southern Governors, and following the signing into law of the recently passed anti-open grazing bill by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Miyetti Allah, sensing the implications of the enforcement of the law on the activities of herders across the State, has threatened to resist the law with all the resources at its disposal. This outburst by an association on the lawful decision of a democratic government to discharge its responsibility in the area of security has been viewed by many watchers as provocative, unnecessary and divisive.
THIS is as the threat by Miyetti Allah to foment trouble in Ondo State is causing great concerns, given that such threats were made and carried out in Taraba and Benue States, with attendant casualties. Unfortunately, not long after the issuance of this threat, the Governor has also alerted the public about the intelligence report indicating that some people were planning to attack the State.
REGRETTABLY, we observe that the Federal Government which the State government should ordinarily have invited to wade in has taken sides with the group, going by his recent comments, decisions, orders and dispositions. The Hope believes Mr. Governor is not alone in this commendable initiative, going by the open supports expressed by groups and individuals within and outside the State, and should continue everything legally possible to protect citizens residing in the State.
WE further like to encourage the State government to be proactive, and not to take the threat of Miyetti Allah lightly, particularly given the cataclysmic nature of the threat in the past, and the intelligence report that suggests possible aggression against the State. It is the belief of The Hope that as part of the strategies of enforcing the anti-open grazing law, and securing the State, government should sensitize the people to remain security conscious and report any clandestine movements in their areas to law enforcement agents. This is more so as the State Police are called upon to collaborate with the Amotekun Security outfit to enforce the law. Citizens should volunteer information to Amotekun, while the State government should open both formal and informal channels of information with residents, for expeditious information gathering and processing.
WE like to remind the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of the readiness of the State government to collaborate with livestock farmers who are willing to carry out their business within the prescriptions of the law. The Hope strongly supports the intention of the Akeredolu-led administration to emplace alternatives to open-grazing livestock farming, for maximal efficiency and productivity. For the umpteenth time, we call on President Buhari to pursue modern livestock farming, instead of his resolve to recover almost non-existent grazing routes, or grazing reserves, that keep precipitating suspicions among citizens.
IT is our opinion that Miyetti Allah must respect the commitments of Governors to their constitutional responsibilities, and desist from issuing threats and dispensing vituperations that would debilitate the already fragile security situation across the country. This is as one wonders how many threats Miyetti Allah would end up issuing, after all southern States would have come up with a law prohibiting open-grazing. It is worth stating that setting southern Nigeria on fire would not be in the interest of anyone, considering that resistance is also permissible in the face of aggression.
WE advise President Buhari’s government to rise to the challenges posed by traditional herding, and facilitate modern options that will guarantee peaceful coexistence among citizens, help tame insecurity, and ensure productive livestock farming in modern Nigeria.