By Akinwale Kasali
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami says that Southern Governors have no right to ban open grazing in the Southern region of the country.
Malami also condemned the resolution of the Southern Governors forum for calling for the restructuring of the country.
Speaking on Channels TV, Malami argued that the Governors’ ban on open grazing infringes on the freedom of Nigerians enshrined in the Constitution.
Malami stressed that the controversies surrounding open grazing are a constitutional matter that amending the constitution will address.
“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedom of expression enshrined in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?
“It is as good as saying the northern governors come together to say that they forbid spare part trading in the North,” explained the minister. Does it hold water? If you’re talking of a constitutionally guaranteed right, the better approach to it is to go back to ensure that the constitution is amended.”
He however advised the 17 Southern Governors to approach the National Assembly for the needed backing to effect the ban on open grazing.
The Southern Governors had last week imposed a ban on open grazing in their states following the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to find a lasting solution to killers herdsmen ravaging farms, kidnapping and killing farmers and other residents.
In a four-hour meeting in Asaba, Delta State Capital, last week in a 12-point communique, the southern governors unanimously agreed to ban open grazing.
The Governors said the influx of armed herders, criminals, and bandits into the South presented a severe security challenge in the region.
