- Miyetti Allah group has expressed its shock over southeast governors' decision on ranching in the region
- The group said it never expected the governors' to say that no land would be donated for ranching in southeast
- The cattle breeders association, south east zone, said the governors' stand, if implemented, will frustrate them from carrying out their legitimate livestock rearing business Cattle breeders have expressed shock over the recent decision by governors of the southeast region on not accepting grazing in the area. The breeders under the aegis of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association said the decision by these governors is surprising. Vanguard reports that the southeast zonal chairman of Miyetti Allah, Gidado Siddiki, the association was surprised considering the cordial relationship that had existed in the zone between the group and the five state governments. Siddiki said the association has never failed to appreciate the commitment of the host governors in these states.
“It is evident that our organisation’s advocacy for peaceful coexistence among indigenous farmers and herdsmen is increasingly making successes in the southeast. “This explains our surprise at the latest stand of the governors, which, if implemented, will not only frustrate our people from carrying out our legitimate livestock rearing business in this part of the country, but might be suggestive of a kind of suspicion that might undermine the mutuality of the claim of brotherhood," Siddiki said. He said they are mindful of the various negotiations and consultations still going on in respect of the contentious issues of ranching, colonies and grazing areas across the country, while adding that the breeders are hopeful that these issues are considered dispassionately in the interest of Nigeria and the generality of it’s citizens. "We of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders of Nigeria, south east zone, consequent upon the existing understanding we enjoy with our hosts, and in response to the latest stand by the south east Governors forum, wish to reaffirm our confidence in the capacity of our host governors to encourage the growth of our legitimate trade in their geo political zone. “It is a very trying period in the history of Nigeria and it is our candid view that the south east whose citizens are the major bonding elements among the people of Nigeria, would provide exemplary leadership in accommodating other Nigerians in their midst, in so far such persons are legitimately engaged in their economic pursuits," Siddiki added.
Meanwhile, It was previously reported that the governors of the southeast states said no land in the region would be donated for ranching purposes. The governors led by their chairman - the governor of Ebonyi state David Umahi - on Sunday, July 8, said they have arrived at a decision that no land would be made available for the establishment of cattle ranches in the zone. Umahi said reports that some states in the region have seceded land for ranching is false.
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