AFENIFERE BACKS FAYOSE’S BAN ON CATTLE GRAZING

The responsible action of the governor should jolt the Federal Government that has appeared largely indifferent to the murderous activities of the Fulani herdsmen to act responsibly over this matter

Nigeria, May 23, 2016 – The Yoruba Socio-political organization, Afenifere has thrown its weight behind what it described as the courageous move of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in prohibiting cattle grazing in the state.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere said the action of the governor is a timely move to strengthen the civilization that places higher premium on human lives above cows.

It added that Nigerians have sacrificed enough blood in the unending cycle of bloodletting by Fulani herdsmen, the latest being those killed in Ekiti two days ago.

“The responsible action of the governor should jolt the Federal Government that has appeared largely indifferent to the murderous activities of the Fulani herdsmen to act responsibly over this matter.

“We fully endorse this action which is in conformity with the resolution of the 2014 National Conference that cattle breeders must embrace RANCHING as against grazing reserves being canvassed in certain quarters”, Afenifere said.

In banning cattle grazing, Governor Ayo Fayose said that his government will henceforth confiscate any cattle
seen anywhere in the State apart from ranch created for them by their owners.

He described the Fulani herdsmen that attacked Oke-Ako and other communities in the country as “agents of the devil that must be fished out and punished accordingly.”

“We will not leave our lands for Fulani herdsmen and in a system where the leadership of the country looks the other
way while our people are being killed, we will have no option than to defend ourselves by whatever means. I have come here to commiserate with the people of Oke-Ako over the murder of two of our people by these evil Fulani herdsmen.

“I am also here to assure that this will be the last time your community will be invaded by Fulani herdsmen under whatever guise.
I have directed that cattle rearing and grazing should stop in Ekiti State and those interested in cattle farming should henceforth do so in their own cattle ranch.

“No more movement of cattle from one location to another in the State and any cattle seen anywhere in Ekiti State apart from the ranch created for them by their owners will be confiscated by the government and their owners will be prosecuted. A bill to this effect will be sent to House of Assembly for passage into law to criminalise cattle owners whose cattle are found moving
from one location the other in the State.

“If President Mohammadu Buhari, who is the patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has refused to call the herdsmen to order, we in Ekiti will no longer harbour herdsmen who go about killing our people, destroying our farmlands and raping our women.

“If the same President Buhari that was so concerned about the killing of Fulani herdsmen in in Saki, Oke Ogun Area of Oyo State such that he, as a private citizen led Arewa to Ibadan on October 13, 2000, to confront the then Governor of Oyo State, late Alhaji Lam Adesina is now keeping silent when the same herdsmen are killing our people, we must rise and defend ourselves. It is our duty to protect our people and we are going to do that without fear or favour.

“One wonders how Nigerians can go back to farming when those already in the farms are losing billions of Naira worth of crops to destruction of their farmlands by the Fulani Herdsmen and the Federal Government is not doing anything about it,” Fayose said.