…commends Diri’s anti-grazing moves
Yenagoa—Controversial Ijaw advocate and coordinator of the Egbesu Brotherhood, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, has reiterated the position of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State to ban open grazing.
Bodmas, in a statement sent to Mangrovepen.ng on Monday, stated that Diri spoke for the entire Ijaw nation and not just Bayelsa state.
The Ijaw activist opined that the governor’s decision is intended to preserve the lives of Ijaw people and avert future crises.
According to Bodmas, the governor’s position on Saturday depicts him as a lover of peace and has shown that he appreciates human lives.
He added that Diri wants the best not only for the people of Bayelsa but all Nigerians.
In his words: “We are not blind to the carnage, butchery, unleashed by suspected herdsmen against innocent villagers in different parts of the country
“The decision of the Bayelsa State Government to ban open grazing and movement of cattle on foot is conspicuously to avert looming crises and sustain Nigeria’s corporate existence.
“Governor Diri’s statement is the position of Ijaw Nation, cattle routes are alien to us, we are fishermen, farmers and hunters. It would be a disservice and an invitation of anarchy to our land if we condone open grazing.
“Our villages, farms, streets, are not barn houses for cattle, the Ijaw tradition does not prioritize animal lives over human lives, the Governor is therefore in order.
“The federal government should applaud and support the Governor’s decision, he shouldn’t be vilified and antagonized for working to sustain Nigeria’s unity.
“The decision is of immense benefit to our corporate existence, if only the Governors in the middle belt had been this bold, the blackmails and accusations against the Buhari-led government would have been avoided.”
