The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has said that the resolve to ban open grazing by southern governors is equivalent to prohibiting spare parts trading in the north.

Recall that Southern Governors last Tuesday, resolved to ban open grazing and the movement of cattle by foot, after a meeting in Asaba, Delta state.

The resolutions of the Southern Governors have been greeted with mixed reactions from different parts of the country.

Speaking on the development on Wednesday in an interview on Channels Television, Malami faulted the decision of the southern governors, saying it does not align with the provisions of the constitution.

The Attorney-General said the decision “does not hold water” in the context of human rights as enshrined in the constitution.

“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?” he queried.

“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?”

Malami asked the Southern Governors to facilitate the amendment of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to prohibit open grazing.

“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 established by the constitution, if by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is 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.”

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The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has called for the establishment of a ‘pastoralism commission’.

The minister also called for community-oriented approach in eliminating the menace that has retarded economic development and created wide-spread insecurity.

“It is, perhaps, time to consider setting-up of a commission for pastoralism regulated by law to provide recipes for resolving protracted farmer-herder conflicts.

“The Commission may even engage in or facilitate in-depth analytical studies with a view to providing lasting solutions for the benefit of people and the country,” the minister said.

Malami, who was speaking as a special guest of honour at the Peace, Unity and Security Lecture Series 2021, held at the ECOWAS main auditorium, Abuja, where he was represented by his Media Aide, Dr Umar Gwandu, said for peaceful coexistence in the country, there is need for strict adherence to the rule of law, respecting the sanctity of the fundamental human rights in all ramifications.

The Attorney General recommended the setting up of regulated grazing reserves to replace the “Burtali” or “Hurumi” pastoral system, as well as intensive enlightenment of livestock breeders on the need for sedentary farming and transhumance agriculture as a complimentary economic process to nomadic farming.

The minister called for the provision of water holes in remote grazing locations, subsidized veterinary care and mobile ambulatory services for surgeries and other medical interventions for livestock.

He made other suggestions such as, educating communities on the need for peaceful co-existence and community engagement fora for bridge-building in community relations.

“Revamping of the activities of the Nomadic Education Commission with a view to complementing the efforts of government in resolving the farmer-herder clashes”, he said and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment in supporting initiatives and programmes that will help resolve the lingering farmer-herder crises in the country.

He said Nigerians need to be allowed to enjoy freedom of movement and the right of citizens to stay at whatever part of the country they choose to and other provisions as contained in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to remain fulcrum for a peaceful society.

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