The Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Thursday lashed out at the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami for what he considered a terrible mindset not befitting a Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN) .
The Ondo State governor was piqued by Malami’s position that the ban on open grazing by southern governors was akin to banning all spare parts trading in the North.
In a statement personally signed by him on behalf of the southern governors in Akure, Ondo State, Akeredolu said: “lt is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. He said that the ban on open grazing was irreversible and would be enforced.
Akeredolu’s statement reads: “l have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective states.
“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.
“lt is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate.
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“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 a 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.
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“Mr Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the laws of the respective states banning open grazing and decision of the Southern Governors Forum taken in the interest of their people. “We shall be most willing to meet him in Court.”
Akeredolu, therefore, declared that “The decision to ban open grazing stays. It will be enforced with vigour.”
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