Anti Grazing Bill: Fulani Herdsmen to Drag Oyo Government to Court

Fulani herdsmen in Oyo state has resolved to seek legal option should the state government go on with the proposed “Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Bill 2019” that is currently before the state’s Assembly.

At a meeting of the herdsmen at Igangan presided over by the Sarkin Fulani of Oyo state, Alhaji Saliu Abduk-Kadir on Tuesday evening, the herdsmen condemned the bill saying it was too draconian.

In a communique presented to journalists at the end of the meeting by the Oyo State Secretary of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association, Mr. Garba Umar appealed to Oyo state government to adopt the RUGA model or grazing reserves for the herdsmen to avoid with he described as the Benue state scenario where the implementation of anti grazing people caused commotion.

“It is simply this issue that threw up IDP Camps in Benue.  And we don’t want all this to happen here in Oyo State where we have been living peacefully with our fellow farmers for ages” the communique said.

“However, if we are pushed to the wall, we know the next level.  Our next level is to seek the legal option.  We will go to the court of law over the matter.

“But for now, we are begging Oyo State Government to see us as Nigerians and partners in progress who, for ages immemorial, have added values to the economy of the State.

“It is also a matter of fact that we Fulani dominate large percentage of voters in Oyo State.  Government only recognize us during electioneering and voting periods.  Government is not giving us any facility or loan to boost our cattle rearing business while the farmers, on the other hand, get agric loans, fertilizers, etc.  Is this the only way Government is now repaying us for our patriotism?

“We are equally opposed to ranching which is capital intensive.  Why not ask the farmers also to fence their farm holdings?  How much are we going to be spending per caged cow per annum in form of feeding, etc.?  We do not agree. Government should rather checkmate the inflow of foreign Fulanis who have been responsible for the security challenges in the land.”