Southern governors rose from a meeting in Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday and announced a total ban on open grazing and movement of cows by foot in their states.
In a 12-point communiqué read by the governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akerdeolu, the governors stated that development and population growth had put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the south.
Given the scenario, the governors said it had become imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the south, including cattle movement to the region by foot.
“Southern governors expressed very grave concern on the security challenges currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr. President should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people.
“We observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals, and bandits into the southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general security.
“Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across southern Nigeria,” they said.
They recommended that the federal government should support willing states to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.”
They also challenged the federal government to urgently restructure the nation to address the rising agitations and insecurity across the federation.
Besides, the governors urged the federal government to convoke a national dialogue to douse agitations among the various ethnic groups for inclusion in governance.
They said “urgent and bold steps” be taken to restructure the Federation leading to the evolution of State police, review of revenue formula in favour of States and creation of other institutions to advance true federalism.
The governors affirmed that the people of southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity, oneness, and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.
“Agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian federation leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism.
“In view of widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency.”
The governors also expressed concern about the continued gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
The meeting, therefore, recommended the activation and establishment of ports in other states of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country.
The governors also expressed concern about the economic implications of another lockdown on the country and therefore suggested greater coordination and cooperation between federal and state governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.
Present at the meeting were governors Ifeanyi Okowa Delta), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).
Others were Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Willie Obiano (Anambra) while Imo and Akwa Ibom states were represented by their deputy governors – Prof Placid Njoku and Mr. Moses Ekpo – respectively.
Osun and Cross River state governors were absent.
