Anti-Open Grazing Law: Emir Sanusi, Miyetti Allah Support Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi 11 and the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, have backed the Ekiti State’s anti-open grazing law.

They both declared their support at a peace meeting held on Monday at the Government House, Ado Ekiti which was attended by the heads of security and law enforcement agencies, vigilantes, members of MACBAN, farmers and other relevant stakeholders.

Sanusi, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of MACBAN, was represented by a former Kano State governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Sardauna of Kano and some members of the Emirate Council, commended Governor Ayodele Fayose for the enactment of the anti grazing law in the state for the protection of herdsmen, farmers and the host communities.

“My mission is not politics and it is about peace and peaceful co-existence of our nation. I am standing in here for the Emir and I am the Sardauna of Kano. The Emir mandated me to come over here with the leadership of MACBAN and find out how we can work amicably.

“He feels that as a patron of the group he must ensure peace and lauded Governor Fayose for promoting peace.

“The law that Governor Fayose enacted is the best to defend the rights of farmers and cattle breeders. Whoever crosses the red line should be dealt with as the law provides. Breeders should obey the rules of the communities where they reside,” he said.

Sanusi said there was nothing new in the anti grazing law in Ekiti that would warrant disharmony and crisis in the state.

He said, “We have lived together for centuries, we have no cause at this time when unity is much desired, to end up in crisis. It is nothing new that grazing from sunset to dawn is forbidden. Our cattle rearers know this very well. This must be observed. Anyone who crosses the line must face the law.

“Criminal elements must be brought to book as there are criminals taking cover under certain ethnic groups to perpetrate crimes. This is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated.

“We will never want to be associated with any crisis or an association that is not for peace. For anyone who breaches the peace, we will be at the forefront to ensure that the law takes its course.”

In his remarks, the MACBAN President, Muhammadu Kiruwa, also hailed Fayose, saying the meeting was one that would rid the perennial crisis between herdsmen and farmers.

Kiruwa said, “I am really impressed with the governor for organising this meeting. Some state governors would just sit in their offices and not be proactive like Governor Fayose. Some misconceptions that I personally had against the governor have been cleared now.

“I can say it categorically that Governor Ayodele Fayose is a true leader of his people. He is definitely a lover of all groups including the Fulani people. I can say he is the Sarkin Fulani of Ekiti State. He is a peaceful leader and represents hope for all. We align ourselves with the grazing law as made by the Ekiti State Government because it protects the interest of all parties.”

Governor Fayose, who prohibited open grazing from 6pm to 6am said the essence of the meeting was to utilise peaceful means to resolve the persistent clashes between herders and farmers.

He also announced amnesty for four unnamed herdsmen, whom he had accused of terrorising the people of the state and added that he would extend the amnesty to any herder willing to surrender their arms to security agencies in the state.

Fayose also said herders in government forest reserves must come out and register with the local government authorities or they would be treated as those fomenting trouble.

“A criminal is one and should be so treated. Our interest is peace. As we are interested in the welfare of everybody and we must not allow criminal elements to go free. Our relationship goes beyond cows. We must respect each other and we will cooperate to achieve result. We want Ekiti to be a shining example and anybody that needs to be charged to court or fined will be so disciplined,” he said.