Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has mocked the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami after he compared the ban on open grazing to shutting down spare parts shop.
In a statement titled, “Our decision is irreversible and will be enforced”, Akeredolu said Malami was clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry which is wicked and arrogant.
“I have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective States.
He noted that, “The AGF is quoted to have said that this reasoned decision, among others, is akin to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country and is unconstitutional.
“It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting.
Akeredolu said, “This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in anyway injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy.
“Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to harmonious relationship between the herders and the farmers as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.
He then described the comments of the AGF as “Comparing this anachronism, which has led to loss of lives, farmlands and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange. It, annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset.
“Mr Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the Laws of the respective States baning open grazing and decision of the Southern Governor Forum taken in the interest of their people. We shall be most willing to meet him in court,” he said.
Stressing that, “The decision to ban open grazing stays. It will be enforced with vigour.”
