Abuja–Chief Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), on Monday, said the Federal Government has no power to impose open grazing on states.
Ripplesnigeria.com reports that the former federal information commissioner, in a media briefing in Abuja, warned the Federal Government and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) against utterences that is capable of escalating tension in the country.
“We will no longer tolerate hate and divisive statements targeted at deriding and insulting others, from these Fulani’s who believe Nigeria is exclusively theirs and other Nigerians are their subjects and not their fellow citizens.”
The elder statesman stated that, “The decision on open grazing and other decisions taken on national interest by the 17 Southern governors received the full support of the people of Southern Nigeria, particularly the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of the South-East, PANDEF of the South-South and the Afenifere of the South-West.”
He also condemned the threat by a faceless group asking the Delta State Government to reverse the ban on opening grazing in Southern Nigeria.
Chief Edwin Clark, while describing open grazing as illegal stated that the president has no power to impose it on states.
“The President has no power or authority to impose open grazing on state governments. Such illegal action which is a breach of the 1999 Constitution will not be accepted and will be legally resisted at all costs.
“Therefore, any law banning open grazing by state governments is not only legal and binding but is unchallengeable and binding on any person or group of persons, including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Mangrovepen.ng recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari, in an interview with Arise TV, had revealed that he has ordered the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to recover lands that serves as cattle grazing routes in the country.
