‘Your move was unconstitutional’, Malami attacks southern govs over open grazing ban

Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), on Wednesday attacked southern governors over their decision to ban open grazing in their states.

Malami said the move by the seventeen (17) governors was unconstitutional.

While featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, he maintained, “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?”, he questioned.

Malami, also urged the governors to first amend the Constitution to prohibit open grazing before going ahead with their decision.

“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 is established by the Constitution. If by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is to 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 said.

The 17 southern governors, had earlier met last week in Asaba, hosted by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and resolved to ban open grazing and movement of cattle by foot in the region as some kidnappings and killings in the Southern region have been traced to criminal elements amongst herders.

Chairman of the Southern Governor’s Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, explained that the decision is not new and most of the governors have placed a ban on open grazing in their states before the meeting.

“We felt that … this open grazing must stop. It is causing a lot of problems particularly between the herders and the farmers. Whether we like it or not, times have changed and this must change. We must adopt a modern system of animal husbandry.

“In this day and age, they cannot continue taking cows by foot from Kano to Port Harcourt,” he said.

The governor, however submitted that the federal government needs to support state governments that want to set up ranches, noting that this will benefit the herders who are exposed to dangers as they roam with their cattle.