After the “Biafran Boys” comments by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, a senior member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has again shown the administration’s animosity towards the South East.
Malami while slamming Southern governors for banning open grazing in the region, linked the Southern governors’ ban to Northern governors banning spare parts trading in their own region.
Malami speaking while featuring on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today, described the ban as illegal.
Recall that 17 southern governors met last week in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and resolved to ban open grazing and movement of cattle by foot in the region as some kidnappings and killings in the Southern region have been traced to criminal elements amongst herders.
The governors called for the restructuring of the country along with fiscal federalism, devolution of powers and state police. They also called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to address the nation and convoke a national dialogue to address widespread agitations amongst various groups in the region.
The Asaba Accord has raised dust in Northern, with many critics including Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; and Senators Ali Ndume from Borno South Senatorial District, amongst others.
According to Malami, “It is about constitutionality. Within the context of the freedoms enshrined in our constitution, can you deny a right of a Nigerian? It is as good as saying maybe the Northern governors coming together to say that they prohibit spare parts trading in the North. Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a Northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the North?
“If you are talking of a constitutionally guaranteed right, the better approach to it is perhaps to go back and ensure that the constitution is amended. The freedom and liberty of movement, amongst others, is established by the constitution.
“If by an inch, you want to have any compromise, the better approach is to go back to the National Assembly for open grazing to be prohibited and see whether you can have the desired support for the constitutional amendment in that respect but it is a very dangerous position for any governor in Nigeria to think that he can bring about any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around.”
But Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has lashed out at the Attorney-General for kicking against the resolve by the southern governors to ban open grazing within the region.
According to Akeredolu, it is worrisome for Malami who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to compare a well-structured business such as the spare part business with the archaic method of cattle grazing.
Akeredolu maintained that the ban on open grazing in the southern region has come to stay and will be enforced with the utmost vigour.
Akeredolu who coordinated the Asaba meeting in a statement he personally signed, urged Malami to approach the court if he has anything against the move by the governors.
While emphasizing that the decision to ban open grazing was taken in the interest of the people, Akeredolu in the statement said, “It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distil issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting.
“This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit a response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in any way injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy.
“Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to the harmonious relationship between the herders and the farmers as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.
“Comparing this anachronism, which has led to the 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.”
