Fresh Trouble Looms As National Assembly Opposes FG Over Anti-Grazing Law

The House of Representative and Senate has criticised the recommendations made by the minister of defence, Mansut Dan Ali that the implementation of anti-grazing law be suspended in some states.

The states included Ekiti, Benue and Taraba.

At the meeting the president held with service chiefs on Tuesday, the minister was quoted by his spokesman to have said:

“There is need to employ other channels with the affected states to reduce tension by suspending the implementation of the anti-open grazing law while also negotiating safe routes for the herders”.

As the lawmakers at the lower chamber deliberated today, they queried the comment of the defence minister.

“why would a state be asked to suspend a law it duly enacted”, they expressed.

Following a matter or urgent public importance raised by John Dyegh from Benue state, the lawmakers resolved that the call on states to suspend the law should be rescinded.

Dyegh said there is no need for suspension of the law when about 11 states reportedly agreed to donate lands for cattle colonies in a bid to end the coaches between herdsmen and communities.

Contributing to the debate on the issue, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, from Abia state, said the minister’s recommendation is uncalled for and that the issue of colonies should also be dropped.

She said: “We can’t be talking of colonies. What people are doing is ranching. It’s not proper to say a state should suspend a law passed for the welfare of its people.”

Adopting the prayers of the motion, the lawmakers also urged the federal government to “immediately submit a supplementary budget to the national assembly to develop colonies in those states that have agreed to donate lands (for them).”

In a related development, the Senate today also said that open grazing law in some states were validly enacted according to the constitution of federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Upper chamber also directed the Defence Minister to immediately withdraw his statement.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti had also condemned the statement of the minister as he maintained that his government would not honor such recommendations.