President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof Benjamin Okaba, and retired Inspector General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom, did not see reason why northern senators and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) should object to the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission Bill currently before the Senate.
Spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly (IRA), Ann-Kio Briggs, Convener of the South-South Reawakening Group (SSRG), Elder Ambakederimo, and other leaders of the South-South agree with them.
They are shocked that some northerners were raising eyebrows over a “well-intended Bill” by some senators to deal with the problem of open grazing of cattle, which has constituted a serious problem in the country over the years.
The Bill had scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate after intense debate.
It aims to establish ranches for herders in their states of origin, replacing the current practice of open grazing. If enacted, the Commission would oversee the management, preservation and control of ranches nationwide.
In his lead debate, the Bill’s sponsor, Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (APC, Benue), said creating ranches in pastoralists’ states of origin would prevent conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence. He said banning open grazing through legislation would resolve the frequent clashes between farmers and herders.
According to him, the absence of a regulatory framework or legislation on pastoralism and livestock mobility had created a chaotic scenario of survival of the fittest between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders in Nigeria.
Before the Bill scaled second reading, it had faced strong opposition from some northern senators, who insisted that herders should have the freedom to reside anywhere in Nigeria, as guaranteed by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) maintained that confining herders to their states of origin violates their constitutional rights. Aliero also said ranches should be established as private businesses that do not require the involvement of the federal government by establishing a commission.
He said the only reason he would support the bill was to expunge the provision restricting the ranches to the states of origin of herders. Senator Mohammed Goje (APC, Gombe) described the Bill as discriminatory, noting that cattle rearing is more prevalent in the North. He emphasised that legislation should benefit the entire country, not just a specific region. Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu (NNPP, Kano) also expressed concerns about the bill infringing on herders’ rights.
Senator Hussein Babangida Uba (Jigawa North-West) called for caution in passing the Bill, given its trail of controversies in the past. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin reiterated that all Nigerians have the constitutional right to live anywhere in the country. He said asking herders to return to their states of origin was unconstitutional.
He suggested the Bill be revised to align with the Constitution. While urging that the Bill be stepped down, he said: “I advise my friend Senator Zam to stand this bill down for a consultation, for better drafting, so that it goes in consonant with our constitution”.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia) supported the Bill as a potential solution to the farmers-herders clashes, but recommended constitutional and Land Use Act amendments for better land management.
On his part, the Director of Strategic Planning of MACBAN, Adamu Toro, called on the Senate to reject the Bill. Toro said the Bill contradicts the Constitution which allows Nigerians to reside and conduct business anywhere in the country.
According to him, the Bill was driven by emotions rather than practicality. He suggested that state governments focus on addressing herders-farmers conflicts.
”If herders are required to return to their states of origin, then all individuals conducting business outside their home states should be asked to do the same. This bill is nonsensical and too emotional”, the MACBAN leader said.
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees free movement and the right to live anywhere. Violations should be addressed through existing laws, not by introducing unnecessary legislation”.
