Open Grazing: Malami is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate, says Ondo Governor

In no uncertain terms, the Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has told the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, SAN, that there is no going back on the ban on open grazing in the 17 southern states.

“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,” were the sharp words of the governor in a statement he personally signed.

With comments that drew angry comments from the public and applause from others, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Wednesday told Southern governors that banning open grazing in southern states was like banning spare parts trading in the northern part of the country, a comment many saw as setting up the Igbo ethnic group against northerners.

In an interview on Channels Television, Malami said the position did not agree with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.

“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?

“For example: it is as good as saying, perhaps, maybe, the northern governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in the north.

“Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the north?

“If you are talking of constitutionally guaranteed rights, the better approach to it is to perhaps go back to ensure the constitution is amended,” he said.

“Freedom and liberty of movement among others established by the constitution, if by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is go back to the national assembly to say open grazing should be prohibited and see whether you can have the desired support for the constitutional amendment.

“It is a dangerous provision for any governor in Nigeria to think he can bring any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around,” he stressed.

In a statement on Thursday in response to Malami, Akeredolu said: “I have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar 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.”