Politics
Group Tasks Ebonyi Assembly On Anti-Open Grazing Bill
A socio-cultural group, Igbo Patriots has urged the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and sister assemblies in the Igbo speaking states of the country, to pass the anti-open grazing bill.
The group’s Coordinator, Mr Obumneke Okafor, made the call when they visited the assembly complex where it presented a letter containing its demands on Monday in Abakaliki.
Okafor also urged the Ebonyi government and governments of sister Igbo speaking states, to urgently sign such bills into law when passed by the assemblies.
“We are going round the Igbo speaking states of the country, including Benue to canvass for this demand and fortunately, Governor Samuel Ortom has taken the lead in spite of the inherent difficulties.
“We are also urging the concerned governments not to allot any land in the states for any form of cattle colony as such measure will be stoutly resisted by the people.
“We are aware that some states are adopting policies to ensure harmony between farmers and herdsmen but these are only palliatives that have only temporary solutions,’’ he said.
He noted that roving cows would always stray into farms and destroy crops to the displeasure of farmers which would eventually lead to conflict between the herdsmen and farmers in the affected areas.
“It is also obvious that the herdsmen will shoot at the slightest provocation which will lead to bloodshed and crisis; all resulting from open grazing.
“Enactment of anti-open grazing laws will ensure that the herders adopt the ranching policy which is the modern, acceptable method of rearing cows across the globe,’’ he said.
The coordinator noted that the group conducted series of research and discovered that Ebonyi indigenes and those from other Igbo speaking states, were in total support of its demands.
“EBHA and sister assemblies should also empower the state governments to inaugurate vigilante groups to enforce the bill when signed into law as the police have failed to enforce such in other states.
“We also direct all commercial cattle rearers in the state and other areas to register with state governments for proper monitoring while constructing ranches for their cattle.
“We are giving EBHA three weeks to pass the anti-open grazing bill and if it fails, the group will report to the electorate for appropriate actions,’’ he said.
Mr Joseph Agbo, a don and the group’s trustee, called on Igbos to unite in ensuring that no part of their territory was used as cattle colony.
“Cattle rearing is a private business of some well-placed members of the society and if poultry operators for instance, can construct poultry for their birds, cattle rearers can construct ranches for their cattle.
“The three weeks period we gave EBHA members to pass the anti-open grazing bill is not an ultimatum but a long period which will be enough to pass it for the people’s benefit,’’ he said.
The House Clerk, Mrs Patricia Anasi, who received the group said that the Speaker, Mr Francis Nwifuru, travelled to Abuja on an official assignment.
She advised the group to submit their letter of demand at the Speaker’s office.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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