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Anti-Open Grazing Law Is An Invitation To War, I Won’t Sign It – Ben Ayade Of Cross Rivers

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I Should Be Commended For Payment Of Salaries, Pensions - Ayade
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The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has questioned the objectivity of signing the anti-open grazing law, saying the action is insensitive and an invitation to war.

He argued that the Fulani herdsmen that will be affected if he signs the bill into law are his brothers and it would be wrong to block their legitimate line of business.

Ayade stated further that instead of signing the anti-open grazing law like many of his colleagues in the southern states have done, he has, however, found a solution that will be acceptable to both the herders and farmers and keep both of them in business.

The Governor said Cross River will be deploying the Open Grazing Management Law that would accommodate the concerns of both farmers and herdsmen and prevent the breakdown of law and order.

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Speaking with journalists in his office, Governor Ayade said: “How would you as a nation legislate to illegitimacy, a legitimate trade of a people, the nomadic herdsmen? You cannot by law make illegitimate a legitimate trade of a people.

“You have a responsibility as an educated person. We sit in the office and that’s why even though certain governors have made it clear that governors must pass the anti-open grazing law, I have not because I’ve found a solution to it.

“My herdsmen brothers of north or south extraction, to shut down their trades, stay confined in a place whether they have a pasture or not, it doesn’t matter to me.

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“So, if I have a brother from Yobe state in a semi-arid condition with no grass and having no money to do irrigation to sustain his pasture, will I make his business illegitimate, shut him down and close him from survival? That is insensitive. What I think is anarchy, a deliberate invitation to war. That is inviting the nation into war.”

Ayade said “Open Grazing Management Law” would combine modern animal farming husbandry and farming.