Ban on open grazing is counterproductive – NEF spokesperson, Baba-Ahmed

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum has said that the ban on open grazing by some state governments is counterproductive and damaging to the nation’s spirit of coexistence.

The NEF spokesperson said this during an interview on Channels Television. Noting that they are in support of ranching, domesticating cattle, modern ways on how both the cattle and the Fulani man can rest, he added that Governors are talking about anarchy when they tell people they are on their own and should find a way to protect themselves. 

He said; 

“We are not against open grazing. We are in support of ranching, domesticating cattle, modern ways on how both the cattle and the Fulani man can rest from this worrisome way of which it can be done.

“What we are insisting on is that this haste to sign laws that ban open grazing is both counterproductive [and] very damaging to the spirit of coexistence.

“When you hear governors say you’re on your own, find a way to protect yourselves, you are then talking about anarchy.

“The more the states fail to provide security to communities, the more communities become desperate.

“If there are routes and grazing reserves, they don’t necessarily contradict the law against open grazing. Open grazing exists because there are no routes and reserves”.

Baba-Ahmed also claimed that the Fulani man roams around wherever he goes because he doesn’t have access to what legitimately belongs to him from what the government has provided.

He added; 

“It’s not a southern issue, it’s not a northern issue, it’s a national issue.”

He also faulted President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governors on the handling of the matter.