Nigerian governors under the platform of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) have unilaterally endorsed the establishment of cattle ranches, just as they stood against the proposed national grazing reserves.
The governors’ decision may lead to the death of the ongoing debate over the grazing that is currently in the national assembly and which has drawn much criticism from the Nigerian populace.
The decision was reached Thursday, May 26, 2016 when governors of the APC led a delegation to the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, whose Agatu was weeks back devastated by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen.
Channels Television reports that the governors were led by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to the meeting where community leaders converged to listen to the governors who paid a visit to the state after weeks of the invasion and the massacre of the Agatu people.
The decision was reached by the governors so as to minimize the clashes between farmers and the Fulani herdsmen.
Governor Ortom reeled out the criminal activities of the herdsmen and lamented the inability of the security agencies to arrest the situation.
The governors, at the meeting, pledged to be held responsible if they fail to protect the lives of Nigerians. This followed the pathetic story told them by the governor.
Governor Okorocha warned against the consequences of ignoring the herdsmen as their action cannot be left unchecked.
The governor of Niger State, Abubarka Bello, also added the forum’s voice to the campaign for the establishment of ranches instead of the proposed grazing reserve areas.
He said that ranches will minimize frictions between farmers and herdsmen.
