By Baba Yusuf
A Fulani socio-cultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has rejected the anti-grazing law signed by the Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, describing it as “an attempt by the state to criminalise” their means of livelihood.
The group, through its national secretary, Engr. Saleh Alhassan, made this known during a world press conference on Tuesday.
He said they rejected the “repressive and oppressive law and will deploy all the necessary legal means as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution to challenge it.”
“We will mobilise our people to resist any attempt to enslave them through this wicked legislation ever contemplated in the history of our nation. Pastoralists, like all citizens of Nigeria, have the right to move freely and to reside in any part of the country; they have a right to own property in any part of the country and enjoy the right of freedom from discrimination, like any citizen,” he said.
The group, however, called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Inspector-General of Police, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and traditional rulers to call the Benue state government to order, saying that their action “is a serious threat to peaceful coexistence.”
They commended the police for their efforts to address the myriad of security challenges confronting the country, “especially cattle rustling and rural banditry.”
