Pan Yoruba Group Dares Tinubu, Rejects Open Grazing

By Akinwale Kasali

The just approved Open Grazing and Ranching by the President Bola Tinubu administration has generated mixed feelings.

A Pan Yoruba Group the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has condemned the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, established and approved by President Tinubu.

Condeming the approval, AYDM labelled it as destructive and retrogressive.

Expressing concerns about the approval, AYDM’s General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi, stated that the recommendation prioritizes Fulani interests at the expense of indigenous Nigerian communities.

According to him: “This development raises concerns about escalating violence between herders and farmers, which is a longstanding issue in Nigeria.”

According to the group, “The report is what Yoruba call Agbeleko, written in the bedroom of a few people. They didn’t listen to the people, the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Iteskiri, Idoma, Tiv, Igala, Ebira, Angas, Birom farmers.

“The recommendation for open grazing is a recipe for greater violent clashes in Nigeria. It shows that the ruling class is adamant to destroy the country.

“However, the conflict between herders and farmers has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced many communities.

“In fact, between January and June 2018, over 1,300 people were killed in violence involving herders and farmers, with Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa states being the most affected.

“The recommendation to allow open grazing has been met with skepticism, particularly from communities that have suffered losses due to herder-farmer clashes” AYDM argued.

More so, many argue that open grazing perpetuates the cycle of violence and undermines efforts to find sustainable solutions to the conflict.

An indigenous farmer from Kwara State who wants to remain anonymous, said: “As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Government will address the concerns of all stakeholders involved.

“One thing is clear, finding a peaceful and sustainable solution to the herder-farmer conflict requires inclusive dialogue and thoughtful consideration of all interests”, the farmer maintained this position.